Description: Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Inde en deca du Gange comprenant l' Indoustan (..)' A map of part of India, the Ganges and Hindustan. From: Antoine Francois Prevost d'Exiles' (or Abbe Prevost's) multi-volume "Histoire Generale Des Voyages" (1746-1759): ultimately 17 quarto volumes recounting major voyages of discovery and descriptions of far flung parts and including around 240 maps, plans and charts of those areas. These maps, plans and charts were mostly produced by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, the influential French hydrographer. Bellin's work spans from around 1740 to the 1770s; interestingly he signed his plates in a variety of styles - J. Bellin, N. Bellin, N.B., M.B. (Monsieur Bellin) and S.B. (Seigneur Bellin).

Artists and Engravers: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was a French hydrographer, geographer and member of The Philosophes. His career, spanning over 50 years, caused an enormous outpt in maps, particular of maritime interest.