ARCOT, a large district of Hindostan, under the presidency of Madras, to which it was transferred in 1801, being previously an independent state. It is now divided into north and south, and, since 1809, when an improved mode of management was introduced, the condition of the country has been greatly ameliorated under the British administration. The limits of northern Arcot, though they are not very exactly defined, may be stated to be, on the north Guddapah and Nellore; southern Arcot on the south; the district of Chingleput and the sea on the east; and Balaghaut of Guddapah on the west. It is watered by the river Palar, and the chief towns are Arcot, Wallajanagur, Vellore, and Tripetty. Southern Arcot has the northern division of Arcot for its boundary on the north; Tanjore and Trichinopoly on the south; on the east the Chingleput district and the sea; and Salem and the Balaghaut Carnatic on the west. The principal trading ports are Cudalore and Porto Novo. The population of both these districts amounted, according to returns received in 1822, to 1,347,312 persons.