GHAUTS. The term of Ghaut signifies originally a pass through the mountains, or the place where boats are laid. But it has been applied to designate the mountain chains which run in a direction nearly north and south through southern India. These are divided into the Eastern and Western Ghauts. The eastern ridge commences the south, to the north of the Cavery, in about latitude 20. north, and extends, with little interruption, and nearly in a straight line, to the banks of the Kistnah, in latitude 16. north. The height of this ridge has never been accurately ascertained throughout its whole extent. It is estimated, however, to rise at its highest part, which is opposite Madras, to the height of 3000 feet; and Bangalore, which is within the chain, was found by barometrical observation to be 2900 feet above the level of the sea. Buchanan, who had an excellent opportunity of observing the strata of these mountains, where the rock was torn away to form the road, describes their component parts to be granite, consisting of white felspar and quartz, with dark green mica, in a small proportion to the other ingredients. The rocks appear to be stratified; but the strata are broken and confused. In some places they are almost horizontal, and in others vertical, with all intermediate degrees of inclination. The country above the Ghauts, about Naikan Eray, rises into swells like the land in many parts of England, and is overlooked by high barren peaks, which close the view to the eastward. The country is but poorly cultivated, and is far from populous. Buchanan judged that not above one half of the country had been ploughed; and about a tenth part of the whole rises into hills too steep for the plough. The soil of the gently swelling ground is very poor, and covered with coppice, having a few large trees intermixed. The coppice land serves for pasture; and the bushes supply the natives with fuel. Reservoirs are constructed like those below the Ghauts; and the watered fields are productive of rice. The want of water, however, is the great drawback on agriculture throughout all the eastern parts of the upper Carnatic. The mountains produce iron ore, which is washed down by the torrents, and, being found in the
form of black sand, is smelted by the natives. Each Ghauts. forge pays a certain tribute in iron, for permission to carry on the work. These mountains abound in rude and magnificent scenery, and there is a number of passes through them, the principal of which are those leading to Seringapatam and Poona. Many of these roads have been formed with great labour across the mountains; but they are soon ploughed into inequalities by the mountain torrents, and are thus as rough as before. Among the lofty peaks of these mountains large tracts of barren land are to be found; the country is naked, and is not even clothed with forests. The hills next the Vellore road by Sautghur are covered with large stones, among which grow many small trees and shrubs, with occasionally a tamarind tree of great age and size. The pass here has been greatly improved, being widened and levelled since the conquest by the British; and is now practicable for artillery.