Interesting map showing the region of northeastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam and Bangladesh. At center is the imaginary Chiamaeus Lacus with four huge rivers flowing south into Bangladesh and Burma. Decorated with a pictorial title cartouche of a council in a large tent.
The map illustrates the narrative of the travels of Benedictus Goes, a Jesuit who left Lahore in 1603 bound eastward for Peshwar. During his travels, he encountered a hermit who told him of the City of Capherstam, whose inhabitants dealt severely with Muslims, but permitted others to enter their territory. The hermit had apparently been to the city and tasted its wine. Capherstam is believed to be Kafiristan.
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books, but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.