GERSOPPA, FALLS OF, a cataract on the Sharavati river, in North Kanara district of Bombay. The river descends in four cascades called the Raja or Horseshoe, the Roarer, the Rocket and the Dame Blanche. The cliff over which the river plunges is 83o ft. high, and the pool at the base of the Raja Fall is 132 ft. deep. Near the village are extensive ruins (the finest of which is a cruciform temple) of Nagarbastikere, the capital of the Jain chiefs of Gersoppa. Their family was established in power in 1409 by the Vijayanagar kings, but subsequently became prac tically independent. The chieftaincy was several times held by women, and on the death of the last queen (16o8) it collapsed, having been attacked by the chief of Bednur. Among the Por tuguese the district was celebrated for its pepper, and they called its queen "Regina da pimenta" (queen of pepper).