a large province of Hindostan, in the Deccan, about 300 miles in length by 160 in average breadth. It is situated principally between the 18th and 19th degrees of north latitude, and is bounded on the north by Gujerat, Khandeish, and Berar; on the east by Beedar; on the south by Bejapoor, from which it is separated by the Neera and Beema rivers; and on the west by the Indian Ocean. The great chain of the Ghauts runs through this province in a direction north and south, at the distance of about 100 miles from the Indian Ocean, and rises to a very considerable elevation; and the surface of the country, particularly in their neighbourhood, is irregular, and in general mountainous. The rivers which rise on the western declivity of these mountains, and flow into the Indian Ocean, have necessarily a short course, and are considerable in size; while those again which have their sources on the eastern declivity of the mountains, and flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal, such as the Beema, the Neera, and the Godavery, do not attain any considerable size until they are beyond the limits of this province. Rice is the great staple of agriculture, especially in the lower districts, which are in general fertile, and, besides supplying the wants of the inhabitants, yield a surplus for exportation. A different mode of agriculture is however followed in the higher districts. The other vegetable productions, besides rice, are the same as in other parts of Hindostan. Horses of a hardy breed are reared in great numbers for the Mahatta cavalry; but they are neither strong nor handsome, though they suit the light weight of the riders for whom they are intended. A great proportion of this province, and almost all the sea-coast, were long in possession of the Mahattas, who were pirates by sea as well as robbers by land: they seldom ventured on the ocean except as pirates, and they continued their predatory habits by sea and by land until they were restrained by the strong arm of British power. Three-fourths of the province were formerly subject to the Peishwa, and the remainder to the Nizam; with the exception of the islands of Bombay, Salsette, and a few tracts on the main land. The inhabitants are not supposed to exceed six millions, of whom not above one-twentieth are of the Mahometan persuasion. The language commonly used is the Mahatta, but there are besides various provincial dialects.

the capital of the above province, which