DACCA, an extensive and rich district in the eastern quarter of the province of Bengal, situated between the 24th and 25th degrees of north latitude, and within the 91st degree of east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Mymunsingh, on the south by Backergunge, on the east by Tipperah, and on the west by Dacca Jelalpole, or Fureedpore; and has an area of 1960 square miles. Prior to the arrangement adopted in 1800, by which this province was separated from the Backergunge jurisdiction, it was one of the largest and most valuable in Bengal, stretching as far south as the sea, and reaching north to the Garrow Mountains. The country is divided into a great number of valuable zemindaries or estates. It is intersected by offsets from the Ganges and Brahmapootra, two of the largest rivers in the world, which, with their branches crossing the country in all directions, form a complete inland navigation, every town and village having its canal or river,—the general mode of travelling or conveying goods being by water. By the confluence of these two great rivers rushing impetuously to the sea, great changes are often made in the boundaries of estates, the river encroaching on some parts and abandoning others. Hence it almost invariably happens that as much is gained on one side as is lost on the other by the operation of the current and the opposing tides; whilst repeated overflows, with rich deposits of mould washed down by the stream, give extraordinary fertility to the extensive inundated borders of the river. In point of general fertility and productiveness the district of Dacca ranks below the neighbouring zillahs of Fureedpore and Mymunsingh. The principal articles of cultivation are sugar, indigo, tobacco, cotton, betel-nut, and hemp. The grain produced is not sufficient for the consumption of the inhabitants, and supplies are obtained from Sylhet, Backergunge, Mymunsingh, and Tipperah. Attempts have been made to introduce the American cotton, but the climate appears to be unsuitable for the purpose.
This province is distinguished for its various fabrics of cotton. It has manufactures of plain as well as flowered,
striped, or chequered muslins; and the beautiful fabrics of Dacca surpass in fineness the produce of any other country. Dimities of various kinds and patterns, and cloths resembling diaper and damask linen, are also made. The export of all these articles has, however, greatly decreased.
This country is entirely alluvial, and in the rainy season is mostly overflowed, exhibiting the appearance of an inland sea, with towns and villages rising out of the water. The principal towns of this district are Dacca, Narraingunge, and Islampoor. During the Mohammedan government this district was ruled by a deputy of the nabob, called the naiib nazim. The last person who held the office was Jessarut Khan, who having been ordered by Cosim Ali Khan in the year 1763 to put all the English at Dacca to death, very humanely sent them under the protection of a trusty guard to Calcutta. Upon the acquisition of the Dewanny in 1765 an adequate provision was made for the Dacca Nawaub; and his successors continued stipendiaries of the British government until the year 1845, when the title became extinct by the death of the last possessor without heirs. The population of the district is estimated at 600,000, which indicates a relative density of 306 to the square mile. (E. T.)