BARRACKPORE

also spelled Barrackpur, also called Chanak, town, southeastern West Bengal state, northeastern India. It lies just east of the Hooghly River and is part of the Calcutta urban agglomeration, lying 15 miles (24 km) north of Calcutta. The name Barrackpore probably is derived from there having been troops stationed therein barrackssince 1772. Barrackpore Park contains the former suburban residence of the viceroy of India. The town was constituted a municipality in 1869, but its area was curtailed by the separation of Titagarh (q.v.) municipality in 1895 and Panihati (q.v.) municipality in 1900. Major industries include jute and rice milling, sawmilling, and hosiery manufacture. Barrackpore has a racecourse, an airfield for freight traffic, a government agricultural institute, and several colleges affiliated with the University of Calcutta. Pop. (1981) 115,516.