Search

The British Library

While this map may look like a true physical route, its maker traces a spiritual journey that mirrors a monk's route in their abbey

Matthew Paris’s itinerary maps from London to ...

by The British Library

'Liber secretorum fidelium crucis' by Marino Sanudo with maps by Pietro Vesconte, c. 1321 — Medieval Europeans were fascinated by the lands that lay beyond their own continent. Dr. Josephine Livingstone looks at the real and imaginary travels of explorers and tradesman.

Travel, trade and exploration in the Middle ...

by The British Library

Survey of the country on the eastern bank of the Hughly, from Calcutta to the fortifications at Budgebudge. This is one of three surveys by Mark Wood, a Captain in the East India Company's Bengal Army. A minutely-detailed survey drawn at a scale of 4 inches to a mile, the map shows the city of Kolkata (then known as Calcutta) in West Bengal and the land surrounding the River Hooghly. — Surveying India with maps was a key tool for colonial and territorial acquisitions for the East India Company in the second half of the 18th century

A map of Kolkata in 1785

by The British Library

Scene depicting Christ’s entry into Jerusalem (Harley MS 1810) — Elisabeth Yota surveys some of the evidence for the production of illuminated manuscripts outside of the imperial capital of Constantinople

Book illumination in the Eastern Mediterranean

by The British Library

Byzantine book illumination was at its most ambitious and innovative in the decorated psalters produced between the 9th and 11th centuries

Illuminating the Psalms in Byzantium

by The British Library

Kathleen Maxwell describes some of the remarkable illuminated copies of the Gospels to be found in the British Library’s collections.

Illuminated Gospel-books

by The British Library

Jain diagram Two and a Half Continents, Adhai-dvipa, c. 18th century (British Library) — Professor Balbir introduces the distinctive cosmology of the Jain religion, discussing how it is structured and understood by followers of the faith.

Jain cosmology

by The British Library

Mahāvīra preaching to all beings after enlightenment. The antelope and the lion, a traditional pair of enemies, symbolise the all-pervading positive impact of his teaching. Manuscript of the Kalpasūtra, Or 13700, fol. 32 verso, dated 1445 CE. (British Library) — Professor Nalini Balbir introduces the Jain religion, describing its key features, practices and expressions of faith.

An introduction to the Jain faith

by The British Library

Captain James Cook, A voyage towards the South Pole, and round the World. Performed in His Majesty's ships the Resolution and Adventure, in the years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775 (London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell in the Strand. 1777), photo: Daderot CC0 1.0 — Historians, artists, anthropologists and members of the indigenous communities consider contemporary perspectives on Cook’s voyages and examine their legacy.

What is the impact and legacy of ...

by The British Library

Discover the diversity and richness of Hinduism.

Discovering Sacred Texts: Hinduism

by The British Library

Explore the richness of the sacred texts of Hinduism with the British Library.

Discovering Sacred Texts: Hinduism

by The British Library