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This map was published at a pivotal moment during the British military campaign in Sudan and offers a cartographic representation of strategic importance during the Mahdist War (1881–1899). Produced by W. & A. K. Johnston of Edinburgh and London, the map presents a detailed depiction of the Nile Valley between Dongola, Berber, and Khartoum, extending eastward across the Baiyuda Desert to the Red Sea port of Suakin, a critical supply and troop landing site.

Designed to inform the British public during the height of the Sudan crisis, it combines geographical clarity with topographic and tribal information useful to readers following developments in the British press.

The central map traces the course of the Nile River, with tributaries and cataracts clearly marked, alongside towns, villages, wells, and caravan routes. The Bayuda and Nubian Deserts dominate the interior, punctuated by notations of nomadic tribes, watering points, and topographical landmarks, highlighting the environmental challenges facing British and Egyptian forces. A prominent inset in the lower left shows the environs of Khartoum, focusing on the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, with fortifications, troop encampments, and native quarters identified. This inset reflects the siege conditions at Khartoum and the eventual fall of the city and death of General Charles Gordon in January 1885—an event that profoundly shaped British imperial sentiment and policy.

A secondary inset at the upper right shows a broader "General Map of Egypt and the Red Sea", situating the conflict within the wider geography of Northeast Africa, including the Nile Delta, the Suez Canal zone, and the Arabian coastline. Together, the main and inset maps provide layered spatial context for understanding troop movements, supply lines, and the logistical difficulties of projecting imperial power deep into the African interior. 

Rarity

The map is very rare on the market.