KATIHAR

formerly Saifganj, town, northeastern Bihar state, northeastern India. Katihar is situated east of the Saura River, a tributary of the Ganges. It is a major road and rail junction with railway workshops and is engaged in agricultural trade. Industries include rice, jute, oilseed, and flour milling. The town has several hospitals. The surrounding region extends over the extreme eastern part of the North Bihar Plains. It is drained by the Kamala and Saura rivers. Its economy is predominately agricultural; wheat, jowar (sorghum), corn (maize), and oilseeds are grown. Pop. (1981) town, 104,781.