Amherst, a town of British Burmah, in lat. 16° 5' N., lon. 97° 25' E., on a triangular peninsula N. E. of the gulf of Martaban, 30 m. S. of Maulmain; pop. increased from 5,000 in 1838 to 20,000 in 1853, but since largely reduced. It was founded by the English in 1826, and rapidly increased in population and prosperity, but has been superseded by Maulmain, of which it now constitutes an outer port and a station for pilots. The harbor is spacious and secure, but the bar across its entrance is dangerous. The military cantonments are on an elevation 1 1/2 m. outside of the town. It is a resort of invalids from Maulmain, owing to its salubrious climate.