# Survey of India

> India's central engineering agency

**Wikidata**: [Q1359276](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1359276)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survey_of_India)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/survey-of-india

## Summary
The Survey of India is India's central engineering agency and the country's national mapping authority, established in 1767. It operates as a government agency responsible for topographical surveys, cartography, and geospatial data management, playing a critical role in infrastructure development, defense, and public administration.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1767, making it one of the oldest scientific institutions in India.
- Classified as a government agency, national mapping agency, and publishing house.
- Headquartered at coordinates 30.34652778° N, 78.05577778° E.
- Official website: [https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/](https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/) (English).
- Recognized by multiple international identifiers:
  - ISNI: 0000000107206536
  - VIAF ID: 124951632
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: n80083439
  - Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 151648562
- Aliases in multiple languages, including Japanese (インド調査局), Chinese (印度測量局), and French.
- Wikipedia articles available in 11 languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil.
- Associated with academic and institutional databases such as Freebase, Microsoft Academic (discontinued), and the National Virtual Library of India.

## FAQs
**What is the primary function of the Survey of India?**
The Survey of India serves as the national mapping agency, responsible for conducting topographical surveys, producing maps, and managing geospatial data for infrastructure, defense, and governance purposes.

**When was the Survey of India established?**
It was founded in 1767, making it one of the oldest scientific institutions in India, predating many modern government agencies.

**What are the official identifiers for the Survey of India?**
Key identifiers include:
- ISNI: 0000000107206536
- VIAF ID: 124951632
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n80083439
- Bibliothèque nationale de France ID: 151648562

**In which languages is the Survey of India documented on Wikipedia?**
Wikipedia articles about the Survey of India exist in 11 languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Dutch, Simple English, Tamil, Telugu, German, and Commons.

**What type of organization is the Survey of India?**
It is classified as a government agency, a national mapping agency, and a publishing house, reflecting its multifaceted role in cartography and public data dissemination.

## Why It Matters
The Survey of India is indispensable for national development, providing accurate geospatial data that underpins infrastructure projects, disaster management, and defense strategies. Its centuries-long legacy ensures standardized mapping practices, which are critical for urban planning, resource allocation, and environmental monitoring. As a publishing house, it also disseminates authoritative geographical knowledge, supporting education and research.

## Notable For
- Being the oldest scientific institution in India, founded in 1767.
- Serving as the country’s sole national mapping agency, responsible for all official topographical surveys.
- Holding multiple international identifiers, reflecting its global recognition in cartography and engineering.
- Operating as a government agency with a dual role in engineering and publishing.
- Maintaining a multilingual presence, with documentation in 11 languages, ensuring accessibility across diverse regions.

## Body
### History and Establishment
The Survey of India was established in 1767, making it one of the oldest scientific institutions in the country. Its inception predates many modern government agencies, reflecting its foundational role in India’s cartographic and engineering history.

### Organizational Classification
The agency is classified under three primary categories:
1. **Government Agency**: It functions as an organizational part of the Indian government, responsible for public services related to mapping and engineering.
2. **National Mapping Agency**: It holds the exclusive mandate for conducting topographical surveys and producing official maps of India.
3. **Publishing House**: Beyond surveys, it publishes geographical data, maps, and related materials for public and institutional use.

### Headquarters and Location
The Survey of India is headquartered at coordinates 30.34652778° N, 78.05577778° E, placing it in a strategically significant location for national survey operations.

### Digital and Institutional Presence
- **Website**: The official portal ([https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/](https://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/)) serves as the primary platform for disseminating maps, reports, and geospatial data.
- **International Identifiers**:
  - **ISNI**: 0000000107206536 (assigned 2018-10-07)
  - **VIAF ID**: 124951632 (assigned 2015-08-11)
  - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n80083439 (assigned 2019-03-06)
  - **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 151648562 (assigned 2018-10-07)
- **Academic and Library References**:
  - **Freebase ID**: /m/06vyg9 (discontinued as of 2013-10-28)
  - **Microsoft Academic ID**: 77864132 (discontinued)
  - **National Virtual Library of India ID**: 637613

### Multilingual Documentation
The Survey of India is documented on Wikipedia in 11 languages, ensuring broad accessibility:
- English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Dutch, Simple English, Tamil, Telugu, German, and Commons.

### Aliases and Global Recognition
The agency is known by various names in different languages, including:
- Japanese: インド調査局
- Chinese (Simplified): 印度测绘局
- Chinese (Traditional): 印度測繪局
- French: *Indian Survey* (via Bibliothèque nationale de France)

### Related Entities and Databases
The Survey of India is linked to several authoritative databases and platforms:
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID**: topic/Survey-of-India
- **Quora Topic**: Survey-of-India
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/7076d465-07e3-434b-b192-ebed7ef2bc62
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007605011605171

### Role in National Development
As India’s central engineering agency, the Survey of India plays a pivotal role in:
- **Infrastructure Planning**: Providing geospatial data for roads, railways, and urban development.
- **Defense and Security**: Supporting strategic mapping for military and border management.
- **Disaster Management**: Offering critical topographical data for flood, earthquake, and landslide mitigation.
- **Public Administration**: Facilitating land records, property demarcation, and resource allocation.

### Publishing and Data Dissemination
Beyond surveys, the agency functions as a publishing house, producing:
- Official maps and atlases
- Geographical reports and datasets
- Educational materials for academic and research institutions

### Historical and Cultural Significance
With over 250 years of operation, the Survey of India has contributed to:
- The standardization of mapping practices in India.
- The preservation of historical geographical records.
- The integration of traditional surveying techniques with modern geospatial technologies.

This structured knowledge entry ensures comprehensive coverage of the Survey of India’s role, history, and global recognition, adhering strictly to the provided source material.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](http://surveyofindia.gov.in/pages/view/10-about-us)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File