Imperii Magni Mogolis sive Indici Padschach ...

This striking map by Matthäus Seutter presents the Mughal Empire at the height of its territorial extent, offering a comprehensive European perspective on South and Central Asia in the 18th century. The map extends from Persia and Afghanistan in the west to the frontiers of Burma and Siam in the east, covering much of northern and central India, including the Himalayan region and the Ganges delta. The southern tip of the subcontinent is omitted, but the focus is clearly on the major political and commercial centers of the Indo-Persian Mughal regime.

Geographically, the map combines reliable knowledge of cities, rivers, and mountains with speculative elements such as the mythical Lake of Chiamay, long believed to be the source of major Southeast Asian rivers including the Irrawaddy and Chao Phraya. Key urban centers - Delhi, Agra, Lahore, Goa, Pegu, Kabul, and Kandahar - are clearly marked, along with major river systems such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus. The greatest level of detail is found in the regions around Surat and Cambay (Gujarat), Agra, Delhi, Punjab, and Afghanistan.

The map is hand-colored by region and richly embellished with two allegorical cartouches framing the title and scale. The lower-left cartouche depicts Neptune on a three-horse chariot, winged Mercury, Fame, personifications of the continents, and symbols of global trade—ivory, pearls, spices, and precious metals. The upper-left scale cartouche is surrounded by cherubs, exotic birds, monkeys, coins, ivory tusks, and pearls. In the Bay of Bengal, a large European carrack with sails, barrels, and rowboats is shown, highlighting maritime commerce and colonial ambitions.

Overall, the map conveys not only geographic information but also the wealth, commercial power, and cultural significance of Asia as perceived in 18th-century Europe. It stands as an outstanding example of the integration of cartography, artistic decoration, and symbolic representation in early modern atlases.

George Matthaus Seutter, a German publisher, cartographer and engraver from Augsburg, was born 1678 as the son of a goldsmith. After an apprenticeship at J. B. Homann in Nuremberg, he returned to his native city of Augsburg and worked in the publishing firm of Jeremiah Wolf. In 1707 he founded his own successful publishing company and produced maps, atlases and globes. Seutter died in 1757. The company went over to his son Albrecht Carl and his stepsons G. B. Probst and T. C. Lotter in after his death in 1757. The latter being regarded as his true successor. According to C. Sandler, following atlases have been published by Seutter:

- Atlas Geographicus oder Accurate Vorstellung der Ganzen Welt, 1725
- Atlas Compendiosus oder die ganze Welt in den nothwendigsten Geographischen Charten
- Atlas Compendiosus Scholasticus
- Atlas Novus Indicubus Instructus, 1728
- Grosser Atlas, 1734
- Atlas Minor, 1744

Beside the atlases, Seutter produced a pair of 20 cm table globes during his early days.

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India - Seutter, George Matthäus - Imperii Magni Mogolis sive Indici...