Difference between map 1and map2

Map 1:

• This was by the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi.
• It was made in 1154 CE (Christian era).
• In this map south India is where we would expect to find north India.
• Sri Lanka is an island at the top of India.
• The names of places are marked in Arabic and there are some popular places of Uttar Pradesh like Kanauj (spelt as Qanauj).

Map 2:

• It was made by a French cartographer (a person who makes maps).
• It was drawn in the 1720s, i.e. 600 years after Map 1.
• This map is more familiar to us, i.e. it is more similar to the map we know of than the map drawn by Al-Idrisi.
• The coastal areas, in particular are detailed.
• It was used by the European sailors and merchants on their voyages.

Another reason for difference in the maps of two distinct periods is the difference in the science of cartography. When documents, maps and texts from the past are read by historians, they have to keep in mind the differences in the historical backgrounds and the contexts in which the information about the past was produced. Hence maps and documents cannot be interpreted in absolute and independent terms.