CUTTACK

town, administrative headquarters of Cuttack district, eastern Orissa state, eastern India. Lying at the apex of the Mahanadi River Delta, the city was the state capital until succeeded by Bhubaneswar in 1948. It remains the district's headquarters and the largest town in Orissa. Cuttack was founded in the 13th century by King Anangabhima Deva III, but it fell to the Muslims in 1266, to the Marathas in 1751, and to the British in 1803. An important river port and trade centre, it has good rail and road connections to the rest of Orissa and to Calcutta and other Indian cities. Cuttack's industries include manufacturing, handicrafts, and milling of agricultural products. The Central Rice Research Institute, the Orissa School of Engineering, and several colleges are located in Cuttack. The town has a famous ruined fort and numerous temples, monuments, and churches. Cuttack district, 4,329 sq mi (11,211 sq km) in area, is located on the Bay of Bengal. It comprises a narrow, marshy strip along the coast and, inland, an irrigated, rice-growing alluvial plain and a hilly section. Drained by the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers, the district produces jute and pulses, with fishing also important. Glass, steel tubes, paper, and textiles are among the manufactures. Jajpur is a famous pilgrimage centre, and the Assia hill range contains several centres of Buddhist art. Pop. (1981) town, 269,950; metropolitan area, 327,412; district, 4,628,800.