This country, which is in the south of India, comprehends a large proportion of the table-land supported like a terrace by the stupendous mountain ranges of the Eastern and Western Ghauts. It extends from the Toombuddra and Krishnarivers on the north, to the southern extremity of Mysore, and is named Balaghaunt or "above the Ghauts," in contradistinction to Payenghaunt or "below the Ghauts." This tract of country comprehends, in addition to the native state of Mysore, the three British districts of Ballary, Cuddapah, and Kurnool, the first two having been ceded by the Nizam in 1800, in commutation of subsidy, and the last taken from the nawab of that district in 1841, in consequence of a breach of allegiance to the paramount power. The area of the Balaghaunt, excluding the Mysore, is 28,669 square miles, and its population 2,954,710. Sugar, grain, and cotton, form the staple produce.

In ancient times these provinces formed part of the Hindu kingdom of Bijyanagar; and many of the modern Polygars claim their descent from the officers, and some from the royal family of that kingdom. On the fall of the Mogul government, the Balaghaunt was broken into several independent states. It was conquered by Hyder Ali between the years 1766 and 1780. Upon the dismemberment of Tippoo's dominions in 1800, the dependency of Kurnool continued in the possession of its nawab. Of the residue of the Balaghaunt, a portion was assigned to the rajah of Mysore, the representative of a family dispossessed by Hyder Ali, but rescued by the British to participate in the results of their success over that usurper's son. That which remained was divided between the British and the Nizam. The dependency of Kurnool and the portion of territory allotted to the Nizam, are now, as above stated, annexed to the British empire; the territory of Mysore, though still nominally constituting a native state, was some time since, in consequence of the misconduct of its affairs, transferred to the direct management and control of the British government.