12: Colonial and Mandate-Era Place Naming: British Policies and Practices in Palestine

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1. Introduction

The British Mandate period (1917–1948) in Palestine marked a significant chapter in the region’s history, particularly regarding place naming and cartographic practices. This article examines how British colonial policies influenced the recording, standardisation, and sometimes renaming of places, reflecting both administrative needs and political considerations.

2. Administrative and Survey Initiatives

The British established extensive surveying and mapping projects, notably the Survey of Western Palestine conducted by the Palestine Exploration Fund, and later official Mandate cartography (Conder & Kitchener, 1882). These efforts aimed to produce accurate maps for governance, taxation, and infrastructure.

3. Standardisation of Place Names

The British administration sought to standardise place names in official documents and maps, frequently using transliterations from Arabic, Hebrew, and sometimes English phonetics (Masters, 2001). This sometimes led to inconsistencies or anglicised versions of local names.

4. Political Implications of Naming

Place naming during the Mandate was not politically neutral. It reflected and sometimes influenced territorial claims and national narratives amidst rising Jewish and Arab nationalism (Kliot, 2002). Official recognition of certain names could legitimise specific communities and claims.

5. Legacy of Mandate-Era Cartography and Toponymy

The maps and place names produced under British rule laid the foundation for subsequent Israeli and Palestinian cartographic practices. The Mandate’s meticulous documentation remains a crucial resource for historical geography and land disputes (Palmer, 1881).

6. Conclusion

British Mandate policies on place naming combined administrative efficiency with political complexity. Their legacy continues to shape geographical knowledge and national narratives in Israel and Palestine.

References

  • Conder, C. R., & Kitchener, H. H. (1882). The Survey of Western Palestine. Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.
  • Kliot, N. (2002). Place Names in Israel’s Ideological Struggle. Geographical Review, 92(2), 193–204.
  • Masters, B. (2001). The Arabs of the Ottoman Empire. Cambridge University Press.
  • Palmer, E. H. (1881). The Survey of Western Palestine: Arabic and English Name Lists. Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.
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