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XVI. 



THE GEOGRAPHICAL WORK OF THE INDIA OFFICE. 



The f oregoh] g chapters have dealt with the departments and 

 agencies entrusted with the conduct of the actual operations in India 

 and the collection of statistical facts on the spot. It now remains 

 to devote a few pages to the department in England charged with 

 the duty of advising the Secretary of State as to the control of these 

 operations, and to the utilization of the information acquired. 



The geographical work of the India Office consists of correspon- 

 dence, reports, and general business relating to the following distinct 

 branches : — 



The Great Trigonometrical Survey. 

 The Topographical Surveys. 

 The Revenue Surveys. 

 The Marine Survey. 

 The Geological Survey. 

 The Archaeological Surveys. 

 Meteorology. 



Observatories and Instruments. 

 Utilisation of the Result of the Surveys. 

 The last-named head includes the organisation and arrangement of 

 the map collection, consisting of both the old and the current maps, 

 the keeping of the books of sales, loans and gifts of maps, the 

 compilation of such maps as may be required in England, the 

 preparation of catalogues and reports on the work, and the supply 

 of geographical information. The organisation of the Geographical 

 Department or Branch of the India Office may be said to date from 

 the 14th September 1868, when its duties were placed tentatively in 

 charge of Mr. Clements R. Markham, C.B., for the period of six 

 months. Previously to that the survey reports had been sent home 

 without covering letters, and the absence of any permanent respon- 

 sible officer to receive, analyse, and arrange for general reference all 

 geographical documents and maps had led Colonel H. L. Thuillier, 

 the Surveyor-General, to make a representation to the Secretary of 

 State, pointing out the inconvenience of the existing state of things 



