CHITALDRUG

chitaldrug, a district and town in the native state of mysore, india. the district has an area of 4022 sq. m. and a population (1901) of 498,795. it is distinguished by its low rainfall and arid soil. it lies within the valley of the vedavati or hagari river, mostly dry in the hot season. several parallel chains of hills, reaching an extreme height of 3800 ft., cross the district; otherwise it is a plain. the chief crops are cotton and flax; the chief manufactures are blankets and cotton cloth. the west of the district is served by the southern mahratta railway. the largest town in the district is davangere (pop. 10,402). the town of chitaldrug, which is the district headquarters (pop. 1901, 5792), was formerly a military cantonment, but this was abandoned on account of its unhealthiness. it has massive fortifications erected under hyder ali and tippoo sahib towards the close of the 18th century; and near it on the west are remains of a city of the 2nd century a.d.