city, northwestern Orissa state, eastern India. The city is a commercial centre and rail terminus along the Mahanadi River. It has some industry, including the milling of rice, weaving, and metalworking. There are several colleges, a sacred Vaishnavite temple, and a ruined fort. The Hirakud Dam (1957) lies on the Mahanandi River 8 miles (13 km) upstream from Sambalpur. Pop. (2001) city, 153,643; urban agglom., 226,469.