Bengaluru techie’s 1983 city map goes viral. No HSR Layout or Indiranagar. See post

A Bengaluru techie’s post on X featuring a 1983 edition of the city’s map has gone viral, drawing over one lakh views and sparking widespread interest among residents, home buyers, and urban history enthusiasts. The map, shared by Dravisha (@dravishakatoch), reveals a cityscape vastly different from today—popular neighbourhoods like Indiranagar and HSR Layout are entirely missing. At the time, the map was priced Rs 12.

“We bought Bengaluru’s map (1983 edition) from a collector. (42 years old) And it turns out, HSR and Indiranagar are non-existent. Jayanagar is almost central of the city,” Dravisha wrote. She added that the map is currently being framed and will be scanned in HD soon.

Contrary to assumptions that the map only covers South Bengaluru, Dravisha clarified that it spans the entire city. “After analysing the map in smaller chunks with AI, it’s clear this 1983 map covers the entire city,” she said, citing coverage of Hebbal, Yelahanka Road, MG Road, Shivajinagar, and Whitefield direction as evidence.

With inset maps showing regional approach roads and dense southern layouts reflecting historical planning, the 1983 map offers a rare glimpse into Bengaluru’s urban evolution—one that’s proving useful and nostalgic in equal measure. It has also prompted reactions from several X users, many of whom see the map as a valuable tool for home buyers. “This is the map to refer while buying a house, if there was a lake there, don't buy it,” wrote Shubham Girdhar (@girdharspeaks), referencing Bengaluru’s frequent flooding and waterlogging issues.