city, eastern West Bengal state, northeastern India. It lies just north of the Hugli (Hooghly) River (Hugli River) about 55 miles (90 km) north of Kolkata (Calcutta) (Calcutta). It was the centre of large factories under the British East India Company, and Santipur handwoven muslins had a European reputation in the 18th and 19th centuries. The region's major cotton-weaving centre, Santipur also engages in agricultural trade and pottery manufacture. It was constituted a municipality in 1865. It is a pilgrimage centre with sacred bathing steps (ghats) on the river. A festival in honour of Krishna is held annually. Santipur has a college affiliated with the University of Calcutta (Calcutta, University of). Pop. (2001) 138,235.