Kalahasti Town
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Kalahasti Town
Head-quarters of the tahsil of the same name in North Arcot District, Madras, situated in 13°45' N. and 79°42’E., with a station on the South Indian Railway, on the right bank of the Swarnamukhi at the extremity of the Nagari hills. Popu- lation (1901), 11,992. It is the residence of the Raja of Kalahasti, and the head-quarters of the deputy – tahsildar and sub-magistrate, A large number of the inhabitants are in the employ of the zamindar, whose residence, an imposing-looking building, faces the eastern street of the old town. The approach to the town from the river is through the last gap in the Nagari hills, which are here considered so holy that the quarrying of stone or gravel is forbidden. Kalahasti is a thriving town, carrying on a brisk trade in grain, bangles, and many other articles. A good deal of cotton stuff is woven in the suburbs, and the hand-printed and hand-painted cotton fabrics enjoy a high reputation. Some of the latter gained a bronze medal at the Delhi Darbar Exhibi- tion of 1903. The town is famous for its Siva temple, wherein a festi- val takes place annually during February and March.
