Introduction:
Under colonial administration, surveys became an important tool for various reasons. This article will discuss how surveys gained significance during the colonial era and the reasons behind it.

1. Expansion of territory:
- Colonial powers aimed to expand their territories and establish control over new lands.
- Surveys played a crucial role in accurately mapping and demarcating the newly acquired territories.
- These surveys provided valuable information about the size, boundaries, and natural resources of the colonies.

2. Revenue collection:
- The colonial powers relied heavily on revenue collection from their colonies.
- Surveys helped in assessing the potential revenue-generating capabilities of the land.
- By mapping agricultural lands, forest areas, and mineral resources, surveys enabled the administration to determine the tax and royalty amounts to be levied.

3. Land ownership and administration:
- The colonial powers needed to establish a system of land ownership and administration in the colonies.
- Surveys were conducted to accurately measure and demarcate land plots, ensuring clear ownership rights.
- The surveys also helped in creating land records, which facilitated efficient land administration and prevented disputes.

4. Infrastructure development:
- Colonial powers aimed to develop infrastructure in their colonies for various purposes, including transportation and communication.
- Surveys played a crucial role in identifying suitable routes for roads, railways, canals, and telegraph lines.
- By accurately measuring distances and elevations, surveys provided essential data for designing and constructing these infrastructure projects.

5. Natural resource exploitation:
- The colonial powers were interested in exploiting the natural resources of their colonies.
- Surveys helped in identifying and assessing the potential of various resources such as minerals, timber, and water bodies.
- This information aided in the establishment of mining operations, logging activities, and water resource management.

Conclusion:
Surveys became important under colonial administration due to their role in expanding territories, facilitating revenue collection, establishing land ownership, promoting infrastructure development, and enabling natural resource exploitation. These surveys provided valuable data and information that helped the colonial powers in governing their colonies efficiently and maximizing their economic gains.