Rare Old Pictorial Map of Delhi Durbar by Wymer, 1911: Coronation Pavilion, Park, Kingsway, Regiments, Elephants

The "Delhi Durbar, 1911" map, created by the esteemed military painter and illustrator Reginald Augustus Wymer, is a captivating piece that commemorates a pivotal event in the history of British India. This map, originally crafted to mark the grand Delhi Durbar of 1911, offers a detailed and evocative glimpse into the heart of colonial Delhi during the height of the British Empire. The Durbar, attended by Emperor George V and Empress Queen Mary, was a grand assembly at Coronation Park, celebrating the sovereign's succession. Wymer's map is not just a geographical representation but a historical tapestry that intertwines the city's layout with rich illustrations of the era's vibrant colonial life.

This city map is notable for its intricate depiction of significant neighborhoods and landmarks that were central to the Delhi Durbar. The Coronation Pavilion, a key feature of the Durbar, stands prominently, symbolizing the imperial grandeur of the event. Surrounding the map are detailed illustrations of various regiments, including the Queen's own Cameron Highlanders and the 1st King George's own Gurkha Rifles, showcasing the military might and ceremonial splendor of the British Empire. These visual elements not only enhance the map's aesthetic appeal but also provide a deeper understanding of the historical context and the cultural dynamics of early 20th-century Delhi.

Wymer's artistry extends beyond mere cartography; it captures the essence of colonial Indian life through vivid scenes of village life, elephant processions, and packhorse trails. These illustrations offer a window into the daily activities and ceremonial practices that defined the period. The map's depiction of various battle scenes and military activities further underscores the strategic importance of Delhi as a colonial stronghold. Each element is meticulously rendered, reflecting Wymer's renowned accuracy and his ability to bring historical narratives to life through his artwork.

The map also highlights the city's intricate network of streets and roads, with notable thoroughfares such as Kingsway, Queen's Road, and Victoria Road prominently labeled. These streets, steeped in history, connect various parts of the city and lead to significant sites like the Coronation Park and other military and administrative centers. The detailed representation of these roadways provides valuable insights into the urban planning and infrastructure of Delhi during the British Raj, making it an essential resource for historians and enthusiasts of colonial history.

In addition to its historical significance, the "Delhi Durbar, 1911" map is a testament to Wymer's artistic prowess and his contribution to the field of military illustration. His works, collected by Queen Victoria herself, are celebrated for their precision and historical accuracy. This map, with its rich visual and historical content, stands as a remarkable example of Wymer's legacy, offering a unique blend of cartographic detail and artistic expression. It is not just a map but a historical document that encapsulates the grandeur and complexity of the Delhi Durbar, making it a prized possession for collectors and history aficionados alike.

Streets and roads on this map

• Alexandra Road
• Alipore Road
• Barrack Road
• Cavalry Road
• Edward Road
• Flagstaff Road
• Hospital Road
• Jail Road
• King George's Avenue
• Kingsway
• Lothian Road
• Magazine Road
• Mall Road
• Military Road
• Nicholson Road
• North Road
• Parade Road
• Queen's Road
• Rajpura Road
• Ridge Road
• Roshanara Road
• Shalimar Road
• Smith Road
• Subzi Mandi Road
• Victoria Road

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• Elephant procession
• Various regiments, including the Queen's own Cameron Highlanders and 1st King George's own Gurkha Rifles
• Village scene
• Packhorse trail
• Scenes of battle
• Coronation Pavilion
• Horse riders and soldiers in various activities
• Landmarks:
• Coronation Pavilion
• Large parks:
• Coronation Park

Historical and design context

• Fascinating map of a portion of the city of Delhi, commemorating the Delhi Durbar.
• Originally printed on Linen, giving it an interesting texture.
• The map shows a small part of Delhi, surrounded by beautiful illustrations of the Durbar.
• The Delhi Durbar was a mass assembly at Coronation Park, Delhi, India, to mark the succession of an Emperor.
• Also known as the Imperial Durbar, it was held three times: in 1877, 1903, and 1911, at the height of the British Empire.
• The 1911 Durbar was the only one attended by the sovereign, George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India.
• This map was originally a handkerchief printed with a detailed map of the park, in brown ink, with its own railway station, and fascinating scenes from colonial Indian life.
• Created by Reginald Augustus Wymer, a military painter and illustrator.
• Wymer's works were renowned for their accuracy and were collected by Queen Victoria.
• The map includes scenes from colonial Indian life, such as the Queen's own Cameron Highlanders, 1st King George's own Gurkha Rifles, and many other regiments.
• Illustrations of a village scene, an elephant procession, a packhorse trail, and scenes of battle.
• A small part of Delhi, India, is depicted.
• The map is a City Thematic and Pictorial map.
• Surrounding illustrations depict various scenes related to the Delhi Durbar and colonial Indian life.
• The map commemorates the 1911 Delhi Durbar, a significant event marking the succession of an Emperor.
• It provides a historical snapshot of colonial India during the British Empire.

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 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.