city, southeastern West Bengal state, northeastern India, just east of the Hugli (Hooghly) River (Hugli River). Connected by road and rail with Kolkata (Calcutta) (Calcutta), it is a major jute-, cotton-, and paper-milling centre. Bhatpara is an ancient seat of Sanskrit learning, with several schools called tols. It was constituted a municipality in 1899, when it was separated from Naihati municipality. Pop. (2001) 442,385.