CARNATIC, the name of an extensive maritime province on the eastern side of the peninsula of In dia, which, according to Mr Hamilton's East India Gazetteer, stretches from the 8th to the 16th degree of north latitude. In Dr Heyne's Tracts on India, it is said to extend from the 10th to the 15th degree. The average breadth of this tract is about seventy-five miles. It comprehends the former dominions of the Nabot of Arcot, which were transferred to the East India Company, by a treaty concluded in 1801.
The Carnatic is reckoned one of the hottest por tions of India. The soil varies, but is generally sandy, and in many parts water is scarce, the supplies being wholly derived from what is preserved in tanks filled during the periodical rains. There are, however, some rivers which flow through the country from the high mountains called the Ghauts. In the inland parts, there are large spots of salt ground, containing, says Dr Heyne, either common salt, or a mixture of that salt and soda, which, from the use to which it is applied in India, is known by the name of Washermen's earth. Rice constitutes the principal produce of this country, and in those places where water is scarce, great labour is employed to obtain the ne e supplies for the rice fields. The cultivators raise different crops in the year, two of them from the same ground. In good seasons the first crop produces fifty fold. Sugar is cultivated, but in very small quantities, the soil not being rich enough for the cane. The indigo plant might be cultivated to advantage, if the demand for it were greater.
The common dwarf cotton is cultivated on the coast, but not extensively.
The capital of this province is MADRAS, of the present state of which city we shall give some ac count when we reach that head. The other princi pal towns are Tanjore, Trichinopoly, Madura, Trail.. quebar, and Negapatam, in the division called the Southern Carnatic ; Madras, Pondicherry, Arcot, Wallajahbad, Vellore, Cuddalore, Ginjee, Pullicat, Chandgherry, and Nelloor, in the Central Carnatic: and Ongole, Carwaree, and Samgautn, in the North ern Carnatic. Vellore is well known as one of the principal stations of the Company's forces. The sons of Tippoo Sultan were placed here, and palaces on a large scale built for them, but since the well known mutiny of 1807, they have been removed to Ben gal.
The great mass of the population profess the Hindoo religion, the 3.dahommedans being but thin ly scattered through the country. It contains about 40,000 Christians of all descriptions. The whole population of the Carnatic, in its most extensive sense, may be estimated at five millions. The na tives are considered inferior in bodily strength to the other natives of Hindostan Proper. In no part of India are the genuine Hindoo manners more pure ly preserved than among the majority of the natives of the Carnatic.