ABSTRACT
The spatial humanities is still an emerging discipline in India. However, its increasing relevance to discourse on cartography, geography, space and place, as well as pedagogy is noteworthy. The chapter introduces the concept of the spatial humanities, by delving into the history of cartography – ‘From Maps to GIS’. It highlights the different inquiries that are made possible through the spatial humanities, the challenges it poses, and the opportunities it presents. Through a contextual overview of the status of the spatial humanities in India, the efforts of different individuals – including the authors – in attempting to create a ‘space’ for this discipline in and outside the Indian classroom, and an overview of the state’s clampdown on access to critical data and information. Finally, the chapter outlines the broader promise of the spatial humanities – as a bridge between and across disciplines.
