Abstract
THE Report on Indian Surveys for the year 1899–1900 is now before the public, and the resolution of the Government of India which concludes this report pronounces it to be one which reflects great credit on the “able and effective adminis tration” of Colonel St. G. Gore, R.E., the present Surveyor-General. Field operations were carried on by one double and fifteen ordinary parties and four detachments. Eight of these parties were employed on topographical (including geographical) surveys, only one on trigonometrical work, and the remainder included cadastral and traverse surveys and special geodetic investigations. A large area of forest survey was also completed. The total outturn amounted to nearly 150,000 square miles, of which more than 120,000 square miles were “reconnaissance” or geographical surveys, on the 1/4 inch or smaller scales, in Burma and on the north-west frontier. The total area of rigorous surveys on all scales was 29,418 square miles. The normal scale for topographical surveys in India is 1 inch = 1 mile, and the cost of these surveys (which are based on rigid triangulation) is from 25 to 30 rupees per square mile—a cost which compares favourably with that of American surveys conducted under similar physical conditions, but with a very different staff of employés. The cheapness of Indian surveys is doubtless due to the general employment of skilled native labour. In this connection it is satisfactory to note that natives are now being instructed to triangulate and that the magnetic party which has been lately inaugurated will be placed under a native observer.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Indian Surveys 1 . Nature 65, 424 (1902). https://doi.org/10.1038/065424a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/065424a0