MADURA, an extensive district of Hindustan, in the Southern Carnatic, situated chiefly between the ninth and tenth degrees of north latitude. It was annexed in 1742 to the dominions of the nabob of the Carnatic, and in 1801 came into the possession of the British. It is bounded on the north by the Polygar territory and Dindigul, on the south by Tinvelly, on the east by the district of Marawas, and on the west by that of Dindigul. The Vaygaroo and Candaroo are the chief rivers, and the principal towns Madura and Scholavanden. It has a tolerably fertile soil, and is well supplied with water; but its cultivation has always been inferior to that of Tanjore, which was probably owing to the warlike habits of the Zemindars and Polygars, living in castles surrounded with woods, in a constant state of war with each other. The name of the capital is Madura, which is an ancient city of the Southern Carnatic, the four sides of which front nearly the four cardinal points. It was formerly well fortified with a ditch, rampart, and square towers, and from 1740 to 1760 sustained many sieges, and was often in possession of refractory Polygars. Since it has come into the possession of the British, the peace of the country has been firmly maintained, so that it is now quite superfluous to keep up this or any other fortress. The travelling distance from Seringapatam is 240 miles, and from Madras 307 miles. Long. 78. 13. E. Lat. 9. 51. N.