Besika, Asia Minor. 40N. 26E. Bay used as station for British fleet, 1853-1854, 1877-1878.
[Bethany], Palestine. 32N. 35E. Frequently mentioned in the Bible as the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, Simon the leper. Contains alleged tomb of Lazarus, and village is now called 'El-Azariyeh,' the 'Place of Lazarus.'
[Bethel] ('house of God'), Palestine. 32N. 35E. Supposed to have been f. by Abraham or Jacob. Rachel and Deborah died at Bethel.
[Beth-horon] ('place of caves'), Palestine. 32N. 35E. The Syrians under Prince Sorom vanquished by Judas Maccabæus.
[Bethlehem] ('house of bread'), Palestine. 33N. 35E. Bp. of David and of Christ. Devastated by Hadrian, 132. Contains Church of the Nativity built by Constantine; enlarged by Justinian; embellished by Manuel Comnenus, 1170; by Edward IV. and Philip of Burgundy, 1482. Burial-place of Jerome. (See Kinglake's 'Eothen,' Twain's 'New Pilgrim's Progress,' Lamartine's 'Voyage en Orient,' 'Purchas His Pilgrimes,' Thomson's 'Land and the Book.')
Beyrout, Syria. 34N. 35E. Destroyed by Tryphon, 140 B.C.; taken by Arabs, 635; by Baldwin, 1111; re-captured by Saladin, 1187; by Turks, 1763. Lamartine's only daughter died here, 1832. (See Kinglake's 'Eothen,' Burton's 'Wanderings in Three Continents,' Lamartine's 'Voyage en Orient,' Thomson's 'Land and the Book,' Volney's 'Voyage en Syrie et en Egypte.')
Bhadaur, Punjab. 30N. 75E. F. by Sirdar Dunna Singh, 1718; res. of Bhadaur chiefs.
[Bhagalpur], Bengal. 25N. 87E. Contains famous Jain temples, and native monument to Augustus Cleveland.
Bhagwangola, Bengal. 24N. 88E. Unsuccessfully besieged by Mahrattas, 1743; burnt by Mahrattas, 1750. Temporary res. of Surajah Dowlah.
Bhainsrorgarh, Rajputana. 25N. 76E. Said to have been f. by Bhainsa Sah; captured by Ala-ud-din, c. 1303.