RAJAHMUNDRY

city, Andhra Pradesh state, southern India, at the head of the Godavari River delta. In 1449 Rajahmundry was captured by Kapilesvara, the Orissa ruler. In 1757 it was ceded to the British. A railway bridge over the Godavari, with 56 spans, is one of the longest railway bridges (9,036 feet ) in India. The city is a centre for rice, salt, and lumber, which is floated down from the forested hills in the north. It is a manufacturing city and has a paper mill and a crucible factory. Several colleges, affiliated with Andhra University, and the Central Tobacco Research Institute are located there. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 326,071; metropolitan area, 358,327.