Karwar, the port town on the banks of the Kali river is the administrative head quarters of North Kanara District in Karnataka. With an average elevation of 45 meters, the town is located between the sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other and is an excellent beach resort with beautiful palm fringed beaches. The picturesque town with hills and valleys covered with dense tropical jungle is complemented by glorious weather. The beauty of the place has made the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore dedicate a poem to this city. Once an important trade centre especially for pepper, it is still known for its fine muslin. During the 18th century, this city was a part of the Maratha Empire and became a British territory after the defeat of the Marathas in the third Anglo-Maratha War. Karwar was also a settlement of the Portuguese. Until 1950, it was a part of the Bombay Presidency.