TAPTI, a, river of the western side of the Peninsula of India, which rises in the Betul district of the Central Provinces, in lat. 21° 48' N., and long. 78° 15' E., and after a course, including windings, of 450 miles, and draining an area of 30,000 square miles, it disembogues into the Gulf of Cambay. After leaving Multai, it cuts its way between two spurs of the Satpura mountains, the Chikalda Hills of Berar on the left and the range of Kalibhit on the right. Farther west, it passes through Kandesh, receiving the tributaries Purna, Wagliar, Girna, Beri, Panjhra, and Siva. It narrows at the Harn phal or Deer's Leap, and then descends to the plain of Gujerat, and, on leaving the Dang forests, for 70 miles it passes near the .Rajpipla Hills aud across the Surat plain to the sea, being for 30 miles a tidal river. Tapti light house, at the mouth of the river, opposite the island of Dumas, is on the mainland, near Vaux's tomb. It can scarcely be deemed a navigable
stream, as at Surat, 17 miles from its mouth, it is fordable when the tide is out. The mouth is obstructed by numerous sands and a bar. The Ajunta caves — the most complete series of Buddhist caves in India without any mixture of Brahmanism--contain types of all the rest ; they are in a ravine or narrow valley in the ghat south of the Tapti. At Bang, in a ravine or small valley in the ghat on the north side of the valley of the Tapti, aro three ancient Buddhist caves.
011 its banks are 108 spots, or tirthas, of special sanctity. At Bodhan, about 15 miles east of Surat, a religious gathering is held once in every 12 years. Ashvani Kurna and Gupteswar, about two miles up the river from Surat, are also held in esteem. Gupteswar is also a favourite place for burning the dead.—/mp. (Jaz.