Bellary

Bellary, the chief town of Bellary district, 305 miles NW. of Madras by rail. One of the principal military stations in the presidency of Madras, it is strongly defended by two lines of fortifications. The upper fort, crowning a rock 2 miles in circuit, and 450 feet high, is supplied with water from tanks excavated in the solid granite. Besides the fort and adjacent cantonments, Bellary comprises a native town to the southward, with fine military bazaars. On the north are the public offices, churches, dispensary, school, and railway station. The heat is great, but the town is considered healthy. The cotton traffic and trade of the town has been stimulated by railway connection. Pop. (1891) 59,467.—The district lying between the Nizam's territories and Mysore has an area of 5904 sq. m.; pop. (1881) 736,807, a decrease of 20 per cent. since 1871, due to the famine of 1876-78; (1891) 900,126. Elevated on the east slope of the West Ghats, Bellary has an extremely dry climate. Iron, copper, lead, antimony, manganese, and alum are found; salt and saltpetre are extracted from the soil. Cotton, oil-seeds, hemp, sugar-cane, are the chief products; there are manufactures of cotton and woollen goods, and salt, chintz-stamping, and iron-smelting.