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This 1842 map presents a detailed geographical representation of several major regions in Southeast Asia during the early 19th century. Published by James Wyld, a prominent British mapmaker, the map captures the complex political and territorial landscapes of the time. Each region depicted—Burma (now Myanmar), Siam (now Thailand), Cochin-China and Tonkin (now parts of Vietnam), and Malaya—was undergoing significant historical changes, often shaped by both internal dynamics and European colonial ambitions.

James Wyld initially published this map in 1825 to depict the theater of the First Anglo-Burmese War. It was regularly updated to reflect the shifting political landscape through the 1870s.  Despite a long production run with numerous editions, the map is rare in all versions.  

 At the beginning of the 19th century, the Burman Empire was ruled by the Konbaung Dynasty, which had established control over much of what is now Myanmar. The empire expanded its territory under Kings Bodawpaya and Bagyidaw, annexing Arakan, Assam, and Manipur, which brought it into conflict with British India. This expansionist policy led to the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826), which was a significant event in the region’s history. The Treaty of Yandabo (1826) marked the end of the war and forced the Burman Empire to cede significant territory, including Assam, Manipur, and Arakan, to the British, signaling the beginning of British influence in the region. This defeat marked a shift in the balance of power in Southeast Asia and initiated a period of decline for the Burman Empire.

During the early 19th century, Siam (Thailand) was under the rule of the Chakri Dynasty, founded by King Rama I in 1782. King Rama III (1824–1851) was on the throne during the time this map was published. Throughout this period, Siam successfully navigated the pressures of colonial expansion from the British and French, while maintaining its independence. However, it was a time of internal consolidation and external diplomacy. Siam expanded its influence over Cambodia and Laos but was wary of British and Burmese encroachments. Rama III is known for modernizing Siam’s trade relations, particularly with China, and beginning the process of introducing Western technologies and ideas to the kingdom.

Cochin-China (southern Vietnam) and Tonkin (northern Vietnam) were regions under the Nguyen Dynasty, which had reunified Vietnam at the beginning of the 19th century. Emperor Gia Long (1802–1820) established the dynasty after decades of civil war, and his successor Minh Mạng (1820–1841) continued efforts to centralize power and consolidate control. Minh Mạng’s reign was marked by his strict Confucian policies and resistance to European missionaries, particularly the French. However, his anti-Catholic stance would later invite French intervention. In 1842, the year of this map's publication, tensions between Vietnam and European powers were increasing, setting the stage for the eventual French colonization of Vietnam in the second half of the 19th century.

In the early 19th century, the Malaya region (modern-day Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Indonesia) was experiencing growing British influence, particularly with the establishment of the Straits Settlements, including Penang (1786), Singapore (1819), and Malacca (1824). The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 formalized British control over the Malay Peninsula and Dutch control over the Indonesian archipelago. The region was an important trading hub due to its strategic location along the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. British control in Malaya continued to expand throughout the 19th century as they sought to secure resources like tin and rubber, as well as to counter Dutch and Siamese influence.

The regions depicted in this map were all undergoing significant changes driven by both internal and external forces. The early 19th century was a period of increasing European colonialism in Southeast Asia, as British, French, and Dutch powers competed for influence and control. The Burman Empire’s conflict with the British, Vietnam’s growing tensions with France, Siam’s diplomatic balancing act, and British expansion into Malaya were all part of a broader pattern of European interference in Southeast Asia.