BEJAPOUR, or VISIAPOUR, a large province of Hindostan, in the Deccan, extending from the 15th to the 18th degree of north latitude. It has the province of Aurungabad on the north; Toombudra, Wurda, and the district of Canara, on the south; Aurungabad and Hyderabad along the course of the Beema river, on the east; and the Indian Ocean on the west. It is estimated at 320 miles in length by 200 in average breadth.
Towards the west, where the country approaches the great mountain chain of the Ghauts, it is hilly and unequal; but its eastern districts are more level, and they are well watered by many fine rivers, the chief of which are the Krishna, the Toombudra, the Beema, and the Gutpurba. Rice is the great staple of agriculture, and the other productions are the same as in all the provinces
of the Deccan and in Hindostan generally. It has been long noted for a peculiar breed of horses, which are reared on the banks of the Beema, and serve to mount the best cavalry in the Mahratta armies, in which they are highly prized. The Mahrattas, who at an early period conquered the Deccan, possessed until recently the whole sea-coast; and being averse to maritime intercourse, all their trade, which was considerable, was carried on by land. The principal towns are Bejapour, Satarah, Goa, Warree, Colapoor, Darwar, Shahnoor, Hoobly, and Merritch. The population of this province may be estimated at 7,000,000, of whom not above one twentieth part are Mahomedans, the remainder being Hindoos, with a few Portuguese Christians. This district of country was long the scene of such anarchy, that agriculture was neglected, and population received a check; but now that it is under British rule, commerce and cultivation, being adequately protected, will again flourish. In Bejapour the Krishna divides the Mahratta tongue on the north from that of Canara on the south; and on the southern side also of this river the houses of the lower classes are distinguished by being flat-roofed, and covered with mud and clay, from those on the northern side, where the roofs are pitched and thatched.
After the dissolution of the great Bhamenee dynasty of the Deccan, a new race of independent sovereigns arose in 1489, who ruled over the country from the river Beema to Bejapour. About 1689 the city of Bejapour was besieged and taken by Aurungzebe; while the Mahratta empire was at the same time growing into importance. Subsequently to the death of Aurungzebe, the Mahrattas subdued Bejapour, and have ever since retained possession of it. After the conclusion of the war with Dowlut Rao Scindia in 1804, this country, along with all the rest of the Mahratta territories, became a prey to anarchy, from the contending claims and insubordination of different chiefs. Some settlement of these disputes, however, was effected by the interference of the British under Sir Arthur Wellesley; and in 1818 almost the whole of this province was conquered by the British; while the Peishwa Bajerow, the last head of the Mahrattas, was expelled from his throne.