Mhaske, Aishwarya Prashant
(2026)
Kutch: A Land “Without a Counterpart on the Globe”—A Perception from History.
In:
Spatial Narratives of India's Heritage: Integrating Geospatial Analysis in the Humanities edited by Rajani M.B.
Springer, Singapore, pp. 39-70.
ISBN 978-981-95-0116-8
Full text not available from this repository.
| Abstract: |
Kutch, in western India, is a unique region described by Burnes and Dossal as “a land Without a Counterpart on the Globe” and is referenced in ancient texts and cartographic records. Continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, including a large number of Harappan civilisation settlements, it holds significant archaeological, historical, and maritime importance. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, along with the works of Ptolemy, Linschoten, and Rennell, collectively depict Kutch as a land of both peril and fascination, blending myth, observation, and experience to highlight its enduring allure and challenges. The present chapter focuses on the historical perceptions as well as the geographical setting of Kutch. This paper explores descriptions from four major historical sources: the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, accounts of Claudius Ptolemy, John Huyghen van Linschoten, and James Rennell. These accounts, along with associated maps or maps made later based on these descriptions, offer diverse perspectives on Kutch’s historical geography and landscape. The present research identifies Kutch’s portrayal in ancient records, including its maritime hazards as noted in the Periplus and its geographical description in Ptolemy’s Geographia. Linschoten and Rennell contribute to later interpretations, highlighting navigational marvels and terrestrial features. Analysis of seven historical maps provides insights into the evolving understanding of Kutch’s shape, location, morphological evolution, and environmental changes over time. Geospatial tools, including digital elevation models, were employed to reconstruct the terrain and analyse features described in historical sources. The study underscores the complexities in interpreting historical data and the interplay between myth and observation in shaping perceptions of Kutch's enigmatic landscape. This chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical geography of Kutch, linking ancient narratives with modern spatial analysis techniques. |
| Item Type: |
Book Chapter
|
| Subjects: |
School of Humanities > Archaeology
School of Humanities > Heritage Studies |
| Divisions: |
Schools > Humanities |
| Date Deposited: |
30 Jan 2026 05:39 |
| Last Modified: |
30 Jan 2026 05:39 |
| Official URL: |
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-... |
| Related URLs: |
|
| Funders: |
* |
| Projects: |
* |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0117-5_3 |
| URI: |
http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/3057 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
