MAHESURA, or MAHISOUR, a raj or native principality in the south of India, under the protection and administration of the British government. It is situated principally between N. Lat. 11. and 15., and is completely surrounded by the British territories subject to the Madras and Bombay presidencies. Its length is estimated at 210 miles, and its average breadth at 140. The country consists of a high table-land, inclosed between the Eastern and the Western Ghauts, and elevated 3000 feet above the level of the sea, from which rise numerous lofty hills, containing the sources of many streams. The principal rivers which intersect the country are,—the Cauvery, Tumbrudda, Vedawati, and the Northern and Southern Penna. The elevation of this inland plain varies at different places. The highest mountains of Mysore, namely, those of Babubulin, near Bednore, rise to the height of 6000 feet; the elevation of Sivaganga is 4600 feet; at the Pass of Peddanaik Durgum the height is 1907 feet, according to barometrical observations; at Baitaman-galam, 2435; at Bangalore, 2807; at Hurryhur, 1831. The seat of the climate is mitigated by the height of the ground, and the climate throughout the whole of this extensive tract is remarkably temperate and healthy. This country has another peculiar advantage, namely, that it is sheltered by the Ghaut Mountains from the violence of the monsoons, which sweep along the lower plains, and deluge with torrents of rain the coasts of Coromandel and Malabar. The clouds which are driven on the land from the Indian Ocean by the south-west monsoons are opposed by the mountain-wall of the Western Ghauts; and although the higher and lighter clouds make their way into the plains, and occasion frequent, and sometimes heavy showers, which refresh the air and the ground, yet they are seldom of long continuance. Occasional showers, however, fall at other seasons, and preserve the verdure of the fields throughout the year.

The country of Mysore, from its elevation and its temperate climate, not only produces all the other grains and vegetables of other parts of India, but also many of the fruits of Europe. It appears to have been formerly in a much higher state of cultivation than at present; but it was nearly ruined, partly by the invasion of armies, partly by the rigorous administration of Hyder, and still more by that of his son Tippoo. It is now rapidly recovering from its depopulation under the sway of the British. Rice is cultivated on the higher and lower grounds; and the cultivation is much aided by means of reservoirs and wells, whence the farmers irrigate their fields and gardens. The soil also produces the sugar-cane, for which the black clayey lands are best adapted. The crop of raggy, a species of coarse grain which supplies all the lower classes with their common food, is the most important of any raised on the dry field. Wheat is cultivated in gardens, or in the rich soil of the beds of the tanks, which have been exhausted for the purposes of irrigation. It is only a small quantity, however, that is raised. The Ricinus communis is found here, and produces abundance of castor oil, which is used for the lamp and a variety of other purposes. The betel-leaf tree thrives on the low grounds, where it can obtain a supply of water; and the poppy is cultivated, both for making opium, and on account of the seed, which is much used in the sweet cakes that are eaten by the higher ranks of the natives. The cocoa-nut palm begins to produce in this province when it is seven or eight years old. Agriculture is here in a very backward state, and the implements used are very imperfect. The plough has neither coulter nor mould-board to divide and turn over the soil, and it seldom penetrates more than three inches deep. The fields are in consequence very imperfectly cleared; and after six or eight ploughings in all directions, numerous small bushes remain as erect as before the labour commenced. Considerable attention is, however, paid to the manuring of the soil; every farmer collecting a heap from the dung and litter of his cattle, intermixed with the ashes and soil of their houses. The cattle reared are cows, buffaloes, sheep, and the long-legged goat; the native breed of horses here, as in most parts of India, is a small, ill-shaped, vicious pony. Above the Ghauts, asses are much used as beasts of burden. The breed is small, and no pains are taken to improve it. Swine were formerly very common in Mysore, but they were banished by Tippoo from the vicinity of the capital. There are three varieties of sheep—tawny, white, and black. Common salt is found in abundance in many places, and is extracted for domestic or manufacturing purposes. Carbonate of soda is also found amongst the Chitradroog Hills, mixed with common salt. Iron-ore abounds in different parts, though it is worked in a very slovenly manner. At the iron-works near Chinnarayana Durga, the smelters procure from the one about 47 per cent. of malleable iron, which is, however, very impure. The principal rivers, which have been already enumerated, are all inconsiderable, with the exception of the Cauvery, as long as they continue within the limits of this province. There are many large tanks and reservoirs in the higher grounds throughout Mysore, but there are no lakes. The water in these tanks is always sweet, and preferred on this account to that of wells, which is very frequently brackish. Upon the death of Tippoo Sultan in 1799, the territories of the fallen despot were divided, and the portion now bearing the name of Mysore was allotted to the titular rajah of the same name, the representative of Mysteries.