Detailed regional map of "Indendent Tartary, published by Samuel Dunn.
The map features a vast region of Independent Tartary, encompassing parts of modern-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Western China and Tibet. The map accurately depicts the locations of various cities, rivers, and mountain ranges in the region. Of particular interest are the prominent mentions of the Kalmuks and the Uzbeks, two significant nomadic tribes that inhabited the region at the time.
The Kalmuks were a Mongol tribe that had once been part of the Mongol Empire but later became independent. They were renowned for their horsemanship, military skills, and a nomadic way of life. In the 18th century, the Kalmuks were one of the dominant tribes in the region, and their presence is noted on the map as a key political entity.
The Uzbeks, on the other hand, were a Turkic tribe that had established a powerful empire in the region, stretching from the Aral Sea to the Himalayas. They were known for their sophisticated culture, rich history, and military prowess. In the late 18th century, the Uzbek Khanate was a major political force in the region, and its borders are marked on the map, highlighting the importance of the Uzbeks as a political entity.
From Dunn's New Atlas or Mundane System of Geography.
Samuel Dunn (bap. 1723-1794) was a teacher of mathematics and navigation who published, among other things, maps and charts. Although information about his early education is lacking, by age nineteen he was leading his own school and teaching writing, accounting, navigation, and mathematics in Devon. In 1751, he moved to London, where he taught in several schools and tutored privately.
By the 1760s, Dunn was known as a respected astronomer and had published a range of textbooks on math, navigation, and astronomy. After the publication of the Nautical Almanac, Dunn acted as a certifier of ships’ masters under the new system, on behalf of the Board of Longitude. He performed similar work for the East India Company, as well as made charts of the East Indies. In 1776 he published A New Variation Atlas and, in 1777, A New Epitome of Practical Navigation, or, Guide to the Indian Seas. By 1780, he was named editor of the New Directory for the East Indies, which included his own charts. In 1786, he released a pioneering study, Theory and Practice of Longitude at Sea. He also designed several instruments for navigation.
Dunn died at his home in Fleet Street in January 1794. His books and maps were auctioned at Sothebys in a sale of over 1,000 lots. Many of these were bought by Alexander Dalrymple, hydrographer of the East India Company and soon-to-be-named first head of the Hydrography Office.