Cuttack
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| Cuttack | |
  Cuttack
|
|
| State - District(s) |
Orissa - Cuttack |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
59.57 km² - 14.62 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
580,000 - ?/km² |
| Mayor | Nibedita Pradhan |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle |
- 7530xx - +0671- - OR-05 |
Cuttack pronunciation (derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kataka', which signifies a military camp or a fort or a Government seat protected by an army) is one of the oldest cities in India and the Business Capital of Orissa. It is situated in a tongue of land formed by the Mahanadi River and its main branch the Kathajodi River at their points of bifurcation in . Its actual pronunciation is 'Katak'.
Cuttack is also the headquarters of Cuttack District. It lies near Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. It is more than a thousand years old, and was the capital of Orissa for almost nine centuries, before Bhubaneswar was made the capital city. With its world famous unique filigree works in silver, ivory and brass works and textiles of woven silk and cotton, Cuttack is perhaps the grandest showroom of Orissa.
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[edit] History
Early history of Cuttack is associated with the Keshari dynasty. As stated by the distinguished historian A. Stirling, present-day Cuttack was established as a military cantonment by king Nrupa Keshari of Keshari dynasty in 989 A.D. Stirling based his opinion on Madalapanji, a chronicle of lord Jagannath temple of Puri. The reign of Markata Keshari was distinguished for the stone embank built to protect the new capital from flood in 1002 A.D.
Historical evidence suggests Cuttack becoming capital of a Kingdom founded by Anangabhimadeva of Ganga dynasty in 1211 A.D. After the end of Ganga rule, Orissa passed to the hands of the Gajapati Kings (1435-1541 A.D.) of Solar dynasty under whom Cuttack continued to be the capital of Orissa. After the death of Mukunda deva, the last Hindu king of Orissa, Cuttack first came under Muslim rules and later under Mughals.
By 1750, Cuttack came under Maratha rules and it grew fast as a business center being the convenient point of contact between the Marathas of Nagpur and the English Merchants of Bengal. It was occupied by the British in 1803 and later became the capital of Orissa division in 1816. From 1948 onwards, when the capital was shifted to Bhubaneswar, the city remained the administrative headquarters of Orissa.
Remnants of an old fort called Barabati still exist in the heart of Cuttack with the moat around the fort. Nearby is a modern stadium called the Barabati Stadium, host to many national and international matches. Recent growth of the city has resulted in expansion across the river Kathjori and a newer township towards the head of the delta formed between the distributary Kathjori river and the Mahanadi. Cuttack is referred to as a city with Babaan Bazaaar,Thepan gaali i.e. a city having 52 markets and 53 streets.
[edit] Geography
Cuttack is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 37 metres (121 feet). Cuttack is located at the apex of delta formed by the rivers Mahanadi in the north and Kathajodi in the south. The city experiences a hot and humid climate in Summer, characterized by temperature going up as high as above 45 °C and a dry and cold climate in Winter, with mercury dipping to as low as below 10 °C. Summer starts at the end of March, the effect of which is felt till the middle of June when monsoon sets in. Monsoon rains lash the city during September to middle of October and supply most of the city's annual average rainfall of 144.39 cm.
Winter season, between November and beginning of January is characterized by wind chill from north and long nights when sun sets in around 5:30 p.m. IST in December. People wear heavy wollen clothes at night to beat the Winter.
Between middle of January to the middle of March, the climate is pleasant with temperatures ranging a minimum of 22.2 °C and a maximum of 33.4 °C, which is ideal to visit the city.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Cuttack had a population of 535,139. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Cuttack has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80% and, female literacy is 69%. In Cuttack, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Facilities
Modern Cuttack houses Barabati stadium, an important venue for international cricket matches. It is world famous for its filigree works in silver and also works of ivory. Cuttack has many educational institutions of national repute, like the Ravenshaw College, and national research laboratories like the Central Rice Research Institute,which is a premier institute of rice research in the country. The Shri Ramachandra Bhanj Medical College and hospital is the largest hospital in Orissa.
The remains of Barabati Fort stands near the Barabati stadium. Currently the Archeological survey of India is doing excavation work. The Gateway to the Fort is still intact.
Ravenshaw college which created several topclass officials and academicians, situated here. This college has a prestigious history. Noble laureate Professor C.V Raman worked here for some time.
There are many Engineering colleges and a Government Medical college too. It is a district headquarters and has many historical sites. Towards its north lies the Aviation research centre, an arm of the intelligence agency RAW of the government of India. It lies on the national highway no. 5, connecting Kolkata and Chennai. Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) is also located in Bidyadharpur,Cuttack. Well connected by rail, it is an important hub for most trains. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport, which is 28 km away.
It is noted for having been the birthplace of the prominent Indian statesman, independence leader and freedom-fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, one of the fathers of the nation. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose studied in an anglo school till standard 6 which is now known as Stewart School and then shifted to Ravenshaw Collegiate school of Cuttack.
[edit] Festivals
Orissa has several festivals. All those festivals are celebrated at Cuttack. But the Unique festivals of Cuttack are Dushera and Baliyatra. Dushera is the festival of goddess Durga. It is celebrated with much fanfare throughout the city. Baliyatra is the festival of remembering the ancient tradition of trade between Orissa and java, Bali and Sumatra. It is held every year in the month of November. Among other celebrations the Kite flying festival is very much attractive. It is held in the month of January.
There is a very auspicious temple of Chandi in the heart of Cuttack, being known as "Maa Cuttack Chandi". This temple attracts devotes from various parts of India.
[edit] News Papers
[edit] Educational Centres
Cuttack has several educational institutions including the following:
- Ravenshaw College
- Stewart School
- Ajay Binay Institute of Technology
- Christ College
- Stewart Science College
- Dhaneswar Rath Institute Of Engineering and Management Studies
- Jagannath Institute of Engineering and Technology
- choudwar college
