Page:The Imperial Gazetteer of India - Volume 1 (2nd edition).pdf/248

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
200
ALLEPPI—ALLUR.

of Myedeh. Lat. 19° 21' 25" n., long. 95° 17' 30" e. Built during the Burmese War, it has rapidly risen in importance, and is now a flourishing seat of export trade for a large tract on the east of the Irawadi. Called after Major Allan, of the Madras Army, who demarcated the adjoining boundary line between British and Independent Burma. The residence of an Assistant Commissioner. Population (1881) 5825; namely, Buddhists, 5403; Muhammadans, 144; Hindus, 89; and Christians, 189.

Alleppi (Aulapolay, Allapalli).—Chief port and second largest town in Travancore State, Madras Presidency. Lat. 9° 29' 45" n., long. 76° 22' 31" e.; population about 30,000. Situated on the coast 33 miles south of Cochin, and 464 from Madras; it lies between the sea and an extensive tract of paddy-fields bordering the backwater, which here forms an extensive lake. Safe roadstead all the year round. The export trade has an average annual value of £220,446, and consists chiefly of vegetable produce, coffee, cardamoms, ginger, pepper, cocoa-nuts, coir, and fish. Alleppi is a depôt for the products of the Travancore forests, and is the seat of two coir matting manufactories. The average annual import trade amounts in value to £157,476. The harbour returns for 1880-81 show a total of 323 ships of all kinds as having called, aggregating a tonnage of 172,709. Excellent anchorage always available ; for although there is no protecting headland, a very remarkable mud bank, or floating mud island, of about 1½ mile in length, breaks the force of the roughest seas, and ensures shelter to vessels in the roadstead. The lighthouse, 85 feet high, bears a revolving white light, visible 18 miles out at sea.

The canal connecting the port with the great backwater to the north-east, passes through the centre of the town, at right angles to all the main streets, which cross it by seven bridges. A tramway, worked by coolies, conveys heavy goods from the end of the iron pier, newly constructed, to the warehouses. The soil on which the town is built is sandy ; the general health is good ; average mean temperature, 82°. Among the public buildings are the Mahárájá's palace, the zilá and munsif's courts, hospital, school, travellers' bungalow, postal, telegraph, and customs offices ; also a school and a church, built by Protestant missionaries. To the last is attached a small Christian community.

Bartolomeo records that Alleppi was opened to foreign trade in 1762, and mentions the canal, from the port to the backwater, as being then in existence. In 1809 a detachment of European soldiers and Company’s Sepoys, who had halted here on their way up the coast, were treacherously massacred by the Nairs.


Allúr (or Pantalallúru).—Town in Nellore District, Madras Presidency. Lat. 14° 41' 30" n., long. 80° 5' 21" e.; houses, 1061;