REPORT ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE TOWN OF
DHARWAR.
Inspected in Angust 1876.
Dharwar, the bead-quarter station of the Collector of the district, is situ-
ated in latitude 15° 27' 3' N. and longitude 75° 2' 42" E., at an elevation of about
2,580 feet above the level of the sea, from which it is distant. about 76 miles. It
is about 48 miles south of Belgaum, and 12 miles north of Hubli. The approach
from the south is the most striking, as attention is immediately drawn to the
prominent position occupied by the Collector's kutcherry, from which a most
commanding view of the environs of the town and of the surrounding country is
obtained, as it is probably the highest point for many miles around.
Immediately below the kutcherry, and almost adjacent to it, is seen the
temple of Ulvee Basapa; and beyond the Hill of Mylarling, which slopes down
towards the Bagh Talao, on the west of the town, which, with its seven straggling
villages, i.s half hidden by the rising ground above the Lal Tank, and by the fort
and station, which appear to be embosomed in trees. Beyond the town an ex-
tensive and highly fertile plain, about 36 miles broad by 60 long, stretches across
to a range of low hills towards the east, among which, in the far distance, the
sacred hill of the goddess Yellamma and the hill fort of Pursgad attract atten-
tion. Whilst in the south-west I was informed it is possible, on a clear day, to
see as far as the Kanara jungles. The country towards the north is undulating,
the town of Nargund being 30 miles on the north-east, but towards the west
there are low hills running down to the plain which forth the terminating spurs
of the Western Gháts, the nearest point of which is reached at a distance of about
37 miles.
Dharwar is built on a slight ascent, and the natural drainage is excel-
lent, the slope is gradual, and the storm-water is discharged on the north into a
water-course which runs in a north-easterly direction and falls into the Govankop
Nullah, about 3 miles distant. About a fourth of the town, however, is situated
on the S.E. side. of the hill, and the surface-drainage from this part flows into
the Bagh Talao, and the rice fields which are adjacent to and below it. There
is at present no map showing the levels in the different parts of the town; but
a very elaborate city survey map is in course of preparation, which will give every
necessary information in the greatest possible detail. Cultivated fields extend
on the east, close up to the town and its dependent villages, and it is separated by a
maidan on the north and west from the fort and station. The new military can-
tomnent is situated at a distance of about 11/2 miles on the plain on the west side
of the Belgaum road to the N.W. of the town. There are several tanks in the
vicinity, among which I may particularly mention the fine Kilgiri Talao, which
is about 21/2 miles to the N.W. of the town, but at a much lower elevation than
it.
The rock on which Dharwar is built belongs to the metamorphic
series, and is composed of schistic layers, which are very much contorted,
the strata being in places almost vertical ; but it is stated this stone is
not adapted for the construction of either buildings or drains, and that, conse-
quently, the material for them has to be brought in from a distance.
I am indebted to the kindness of Dr. Sylvester, the Civil Surgeon, for
the following return, which shows the monthly rain-fall during the last ten
years :
—
B 157á—1
.