The "Guide Map of Delhi," created by the Government of India in 1961, is a vibrant and meticulously detailed representation of one of the world's most historically rich cities. This map captures the essence of Delhi during a transformative period, providing a comprehensive layout of its streets, significant buildings, and points of interest. Each road and landmark is clearly labeled, offering a vivid snapshot of the city's urban landscape over six decades ago. The map’s bright colors and precise detailing reflect the careful planning and significant efforts of the mapmakers, making it an invaluable resource for historians and enthusiasts alike.
Delhi, a city steeped in history and culture, is brought to life through this map's depiction of its iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. From the bustling Chandni Chowk to the vibrant Karol Bagh and the historically significant Paharganj, each area is intricately mapped out, showcasing the diverse and dynamic character of the city. The map also highlights key landmarks such as the majestic Red Fort, the towering Qutab Minar, and the solemn Humayun's Tomb, each a testament to Delhi's rich architectural heritage and historical significance.
The map also provides a detailed view of Delhi's extensive road network, with major thoroughfares like Rajpath, Janpath, and Connaught Place prominently featured. These roads not only facilitate navigation but also tell the story of Delhi's urban development and planning. The inclusion of significant buildings such as the Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan underscores the city's role as the political heart of India. The meticulous labeling of streets and roads offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's infrastructure and the careful planning that has shaped its growth.
Natural features such as the Purana Qila Lake and the lush expanse of Lodhi Gardens are also prominently displayed, offering a glimpse into the green spaces that provide respite from the city's bustling streets. The map's depiction of these parks and lakes highlights the importance of nature within the urban environment, reflecting a balance between development and preservation. These features not only enhance the city's aesthetic appeal but also serve as historical and cultural landmarks in their own right.
The historical significance of this map extends beyond its detailed cartography; it serves as a window into Delhi's past, capturing the essence of a city in the midst of change. The Government of India's dedication to producing such a detailed and accurate map underscores the importance of documenting and preserving the urban landscape for future generations. This map is not just a tool for navigation but a piece of history, offering a unique perspective on Delhi's evolution and its enduring legacy as a cultural and political hub.
Streets and roads on this map
- Ajmeri Gate
- Alipur Road
- Asaf Ali Road
- Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
- Barakhamba Road
- Bhagwan Das Road
- Bhai Vir Singh Marg
- Bypass Road
- Chelmsford Road
- Circular Road
- Connaught Circus
- Connaught Place
- Curzon Road
- Desh Bandhu Gupta Road
- Gokhale Market Road
- Hailey Road
- Hanuman Road
- Hardinge Avenue
- Janpath
- Kasturba Gandhi Marg
- Lodi Road
- Mathura Road
- Minto Road
- Parliament Street
- Patel Road
- Panchkuian Road
- Prithviraj Road
- Pusa Road
- Rajpath
- Ring Road
Notable Features & Landmarks
- Inset maps:
- Small inset map showing the location of Delhi within India.
- Landmarks:
- Red Fort
- Qutab Minar
- India Gate
- Parliament House
- Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House)
- Humayun's Tomb
- Connaught Place
- Neighbourhoods:
- Chandni Chowk
- Karol Bagh
- Paharganj
- Lakes:
- Purana Qila Lake
- Large parks:
- Lodhi Gardens
Historical and design context
- Brightly colored map of Delhi, published by the Government of India.
- The map provides a layout of Delhi's streets, significant buildings, and other points of interest, which are identified numerically in the key at the left.
- All roads are labelled on the map.
- Date created: 1961
- Mapmaker or publisher: Government of India
- The Government of India has a long history of producing detailed and accurate maps for administrative and public use.
- This map serves both as a guide for navigation and as a historical record of Delhi’s urban development in the early 1960s.
- Countries and regions shown: Delhi, India
- Design or style:
- Bright colors for different areas
- Detailed street labelling
- Numerical key for significant buildings and points of interest
- Historical significance:
- This map provides a snapshot of Delhi’s urban landscape in 1961, reflecting its infrastructure and points of interest during that period.
- It is an important historical document for understanding the development and planning of Delhi.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.