RAJAHMUNDY, a district of British India, in the presidency of Madras, lying between N. Lat. 16. 18. and 17. 38., E. Long. 81. 7. and 82. 40., bounded on the N. by Orissa, N.E. by the district of Vizagapatam, S.E. and S. by the Bay of Bengal, W. by the district of Masulipatam, and N.W. by the Nizam's territories; area, 4501 square miles. The northern and north-western portions of the district are occupied with hills, which resemble in character the eastern ghats farther to the west, and are of a granitic structure, mixed with gneiss, trap, and calcareous tufa. The centre of the country contains some lower hills of alluvial formation, and the ground along the coast is low and flat. The
Rajshaye only large river is the Godavery, which enters the district from the north, and flows through it in a southerly direction for 49 miles. It then divides into two branches, that to the right flowing S. and S.W. for 45 miles, and the other S.E. and E. for 52 miles. In the delta thus formed lie some of the richest and most fertile tracts in the whole of India. The soil of the level ground is generally alluvial and fertile, especially along the banks of the river, where there is a rich dark mould suitable for the growth of cotton. Besides this plant, tobacco, indigo, sugar, rice, maize, millet, pulse, and other crops, are raised in the district. The Godavery is navigable for boats, and much teak wood is floated down by it. The water is used for the purposes of irrigation. In the bed of the river are many small islands of rich soil, some formed naturally by the deposit of silt, and others by artificial means. The climate is warm, and generally healthy, except in the valleys and jungles towards the north-west, where a deadly malaria prevails. Rajahmundry, the principal town of the district, stands on a rising ground on the left bank of the Godavery, 285 miles N.E. of Madras, and 580 S.W. of Calcutta. It has one main street, lined with low mud houses roofed with tiles. This street contains the chief bazaar, and runs along the river's bank; and several smaller streets branch off from it on either side. To the north of the town stands a square fort surrounded with mud walls, and containing barracks, hospital, jail, and magazine. There are many mosques in the town, but the Mohammedans are few and poor. Pop. of the town, 15,000 or 20,000; of the district, 1,012,036.