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BELLA I V— BEL O.

251

The climate being very dry (in consequence of the winds passing over such an extent of heated plain), Bellary is considered a healthy station but the heat is great, the mean registered in April being 93° F., and the normal annual

rainfall

amounts

to only i6| inches.

Of

late years,

has been scarce, having fallen to a lower level in the wells.

water

The

old

and much of the water now produced is too brackish for use, owing to the presence of chloride of soda and carbonate of lime in large proportions in the soil. Trees are grown with greater difficulty, and gardens are becoming few. The opening of the railway has given an impetus, however, to the cotton traffic and the trade of the town. No local manufactures of importance exist. The history of Bellary dates from the reign of Krishna Raya of Vijayanagar. A dependant of that court built a fort here ; and his descendants, paying an annual tribute, held it for many years. Even after the battle of springs

seem

to be drying up,

Talikot, when Bellary had passed under the rule of the Muhammadan dynasty of Bi'japur, they continued in semi-independent possession. In

1650, the Raja of Bellary defeated the descendant of the Vijayanagar

who had claimed tribute from him, and for a century the feud continued between the two families. But the District then passed, Rajas,

with its neighbours, into the hands of the Nizam; and Bellary was given as part of the estate of Adoni to Basalat Jang, the Nizam’s

Being called upon

brother.

help to Haidar Ali,

who

for tribute, the

Raja rashly appealed

for

once advanced upon the place by forced marches, defeated the Nizam’s troops in a battle at the foot of the rock, and seized the fort for himself. The present fortifications were built by a staff of French engineers tradition adding that, after the new’ citadel had been completed, Haidar Ali hanged the French engineers at the at

—

gate, as

he found that

his fort

could be

commanded by

a neighbouring

1792, Tipu Sultan remained in possession, but in that year his stronghold fell by the partition treaty to the Nizam, by whom it was ceded in 1800 to the British Government. Village in Tumkiir District, Mysore State. Bellavi. Lat. 13°

rock higher than the

site selected.

Till

—

25' N., long. 77° 5'

with trade

E.



The streets are wide, population (1881) 1263. At the fair held weekly on Monday,

uniformly built shops. carried

is

on

to the value of _;^2ooo.

Great mart for export

products.

Belo. Sind,

—Village

Bombay

in the /d/nk of Sujawal,

Presidency.

Karachi (Kurrachee)

Lat. 24° 44' n., long. 68° 8' 30" e.

District,

4 miles from the river Indus and the head-quarters station of the taluk. Distant 32I miles from Mughalbin, and 10^ miles from Dero. Police station, dharmsdla for travellers, and post-office. The Hindu population consists chiefly of Lohanos and Bhatias; and the Muhammadan population of Sayyids and Muhanas.