William Lambton and Geological Survey of India

 William Lambton  and Geological Survey of India 


Colonel William Lambton was a British soldier and surveyor who played a key role in mapping India in the early 19th century. He was born on his January 16, 1753, in Alnwick, Northumberland, England, into a family that had served in the army for many years. Lambton's first military career began in 1774 when he joined the East India Company's Madras Army as a second lieutenant. Over the years he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a colonel in 1809. His surveying career began when he was appointed Surveyor of India in 1792. Lambton's major contribution to the cartography of India was his work on great triangulation. The project aims to accurately measure the longitude of India and requires an accurate triangulation of the country's longitude and latitude. Lambton and a team of surveyors began his project in 1800 and it took him over twenty years to complete. During his stay in India Lambton visited Saint John, a small hill near Chennai. I lived on Mount Thomas. Here he laid the groundwork for great triangulation and spent much of his time working on this project. Lambton was also used to mark the progress of the investigation. Thomas was responsible for the construction of several important columns on Mount Thomas.

Lambton returned to England in 1823 after working on the Great Triangulation. He died a few days after his return on 19 January 1823 and was buried in St Mary's Church, Alwick. Lambton was a Christian and was buried according to Christian tradition. But his legacy in India extended beyond his burial ground. The landmark he built on Mount St Thomas remains today and is a testament to his contribution and dedication to the cartography of India. The Indian government also recognized Lambton's contribution to the country by naming a street in Chennai after him. 

Geological Survey of India (GSI)

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was established in 1851, some 28 years after the death of Colonel William Lambton. However, there is a significant correlation between Lambton and his GSI. Lambton's work on Great Triangulation, aimed at accurately measuring the longitude of India, also included mapping geological features of India. Lambton and his research team needed to document the rock types, stratigraphy and geological structure encountered during exploration. Lambton was one of the first to recognize the importance of geological maps in India, and his work laid the foundation for the study of geology in India. After Lambton's death, the British government continued to survey and map India's geology, mainly for mineral exploration and development. In 1851, the Geological Survey of India was established to systematically study the geology of India. GSI continues his Lambton legacy of mapping and surveying geological features in India. The GSI initially focused on mapping the East Indian watershed, but soon expanded to other minerals such as iron, manganese, copper and gold. Over the years, GSI has made important contributions to the understanding of India's geology, and GSI's work has played an important role in the development of India's mineral resources. More recently, GSI has expanded its scope to include the study of groundwater, environmental geology, and geological hazards. We are also involved in scientific research related to earth sciences such as climate change, geochronology, and paleontology. In general, Colonel William Lambton was not directly involved in the founding of the Geological Survey of India, but his work on the Great Triangulation survey laid the foundation for the geological study of India. GSI continues that legacy and has since contributed significantly to the understanding of India's geology and natural resources.  


This is his statue in St. Thomas Mount, Chennai 600 016



Location: St. Thomas Mount

Map: Click Here

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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