If the Battle of Plassey in 1757 laid the foundation of British rule in India, the Survey General of India, established ten years later by the British East India Company, helped it expand its footprint across the subcontinent. As the institute, one of the oldest scientific establishments in India, completes 250 years on Monday, it continues to touch the life of the common man even today. Firmly establishing itself in Bengal after the Battle of Buxar in 1764, the British East India Company felt the need to map and survey the subcontinent, not only to collect revenue, but also help in military expeditions. Through the Survey of India, the East India Company mapped the entire region and its data, like the measurement of the sea level, still remains the reference point for several south and east Asian countries. “If the institution exists even after 250 years, it speaks a lot about its importance and relevance in today’s age,” said Swarna Subba Roa, the Surveyor General of India.

Source: Hindustan Times April 10, 2017 02:48 UTC