Ghafts (literally, mountain pass; whence, through the Teutonic languages, the English word gate), the name of two ranges of mountains in S. Hindostan. The principal of these is the Western, which extends nearly 1,000 m. IS". N. W. from near Cape Comorin to the river Taptee, at the mouth of which is Surat. The general direction of the chain is parallel with the coast of the Indian ocean, which it approaches in one place within 6 m.; but it is for the most part at a distance of 20 to 40 m. On its western side it presents a front which rises boldly from the hilly country between the ranges and the coast; but on the east it gradually slopes away, or spreads in table land, having an average elevation of about 3,000 ft. above the sea, or is continued in long spurs, which stretch out through this central region, known as the Deccan. The country on the west, which embraces the Malabar coast, is comparatively low, its average elevation being roughly estimated at 200 ft. above tide. It is hilly, but also penetrated by creeks and bays making back from the sea; and it is traversed by extensive ravines, which are shaded with forest and jungle. But few gaps break the continuity of the chain, and only one of these is deep enough to drain the waters on the E. slopes into the Indian ocean.

This point is in the S. part of the range against the Coimba-tore country, from which the river Ponany flows through a break 16 m. wide. Opposite this break it is thought that ships navigating the Indian ocean experience the N. E. monsoons in greater fury than elsewhere. The average height of the Western Ghauts is estimated at 4,000 ft., but some of the peaks rise much higher. Bonasson is said to be 7,000 ft. high, and Dodabetta in the Neilgherries 8,760 ft. The range is not remarkably rough or rocky. A deep rich soil covers the surface, and even upon the summits supports stately forests. • The bamboo attains an unusual height; the teak covers the mountain sides; and on the lower hills are forests producing pepper, cassia, frankincense, and other aromatic spices and gums. In the most elevated regions no undergrowth or jungle is encountered, but roads are maintained only at great cost, owing to the violence of the torrents of water during the rainy season; hence the passes across the range are few and difficult. These are occupied by fortresses.-The Neilgherries, among which are some of the most elevated peaks of the range, occupy a tract of some 7,000 sq. m.

E. of the main chain N. of Coimbatore. Here the Eastern Ghauts are usually regarded as diverging from the Western; but some trace them further S. through the Carnatic in the range of hills which meet the Western Ghauts a short distance from Cape Comorin. Both this range and the Neilgherries extend across toward the Coromandel coast, meeting near lat. 12° N., and thence the chain of the East Ghauts continues with the coast, some say even to Balasore, which is within 125 m. of Calcutta; but it is commonly regarded as running out before reaching the river Kistnah, the range being thus limited to about 500 m. in length. Its hills are naked and rocky, and seldom attain the altitude of 3,000 ft. The drainage of this region is all toward the bay of Bengal. The S. W. monsoons commence in May and June, with terrific storms of thunder and rain, which vent their greatest fury upon the Western Ghauts. This continues until October, and during this time that part of the Coromandel coast under the lee of the Eastern Ghauts receives no rain.

In October these winds fail, and the regular N". E. trades or monsoons set in with terrible thunder and lightning and hurricanes on the bay of Bengal, producing while they last, which is to about the close of the year, the rainy season on the Coromandel coast and the Eastern Ghauts. But under the lee of the western range this is the dry season, a season of fair weather with occasional southern gales. The quantity of rain which falls on the Western Ghauts during the summer is unequalled in any other part of the world in the same length of time. At the station of Mahabuleshwar it has been found to measure 239 inches.-In their geological structure both ranges of the Ghauts appear to agree with other great N. and S. mountain chains of the world. Their rocks are the metamorphic schists, which contain rich metals and valuable ores. Gold is diffused along their course, and is especially abundant in the Neilgherries. Copper ores are worked in the Eastern Ghauts in the neighborhood of Cuddapah. In the same region of the Carnatic diamonds have been found; and 3° further N. is Golconda, celebrated as the depot of precious gems found in the regions watered by the Pen-nar and Kistnah rivers.

From the table lands of Mysore, which border the Eastern Ghauts on the west, are brought the ruby, topaz, chrysolite, cat's-eye, garnet, beryl, etc. The region of the carnelian is in the province of Guzerat, which is beyond the N. extremity of the Western Ghauts, the outlet of which is Cambay. (See Carxelian.) The famous diamond region of Pannah in Bundelcund is also beyond the limits of the Ghauts, in the Vin-dhya mountains, which, stretching across central Hindostan, connect the N. terminations of the E. and W. chains. Rich iron ores are found in abundance along the Ghauts.