Belgaum

Belgaum, or BELGAM, the chief city of a district of the same name in the presidency of Bombay, situated to the E. of the dividing ridge of the West Ghats, at a height of about 2500 feet above the sea, 55 miles NE. of Goa. Belgaum possesses a fort, which in 1818 was taken from the Peishwa by the British, under whom it has increased in wealth and size. The native town lies between the fort on the east and the military cantonment. The site of the town is well wooded, bamboos, mangoes, tamarinds, and banyans being plentiful. It has a superior institution for the education of native youths. The chief articles of commerce are dry fish, salt, dates, cocoa-nuts, coir. Cotton cloth is manufactured here. Belgaum is a seat of the London Missionary Society. Pop. (1891) 40,737. Area of Belgaum district, 4656 sq. m. Agriculture forms the chief occupation of the people, with spinning and weaving, manufactures of pottery, wood, and metals. Pop. (1891) 103,261.