PURULIA

town, west-central West Bengal state, northeastern India. Just north of the Kasai River, the town is a major road and rail junction and the region's major agricultural distribution centre. Oilseed milling, silk and cotton weaving, and canework and shellac manufacture are the major industries. A dam across the Kasai near Purulia provides a reservoir, flood control, and irrigation for the area. Nearby are several 7th-century Jaina temple ruins. Purulia, constituted a municipality in 1876, has four colleges affiliated with the University of Burdwan. Pop. (1981) 166,762.