SATNA

city, northeastern Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It is situated on the Tons River, a tributary of the Ganges. The city formerly served as the headquarters of the British political agent in Baghelkhand. A road and rail junction, the city is an important distribution centre for agricultural products and cloth fabrics. Industries include flour and oilseed milling, handloom weaving, and cement manufacturing; there is a thermal power station. Satna has several colleges affiliated with Awadesh Pratap Singh University. At the nearby village of Bharhut, 2nd-century-BC Buddhist stupa remains were discovered in 1873. Pop. (1981) town, 90,476; metropolitan area, 96,667; (1991 prelim.) city, 156,321; metropolitan area, 160,191.