city, west-central Bihar state, northeastern India. It lies near the junction of the Ghaghara and Ganges (Ganga) rivers. Chapra grew in importance as a river mart in the 18th century when the Dutch, French, Portuguese, and British established saltpetre refineries there. It was constituted a municipality in 1864. The city has major rail and road connections and is an agricultural trade centre. Saltpetre and linseed oil processing are the chief industries. There are several parks, several colleges affiliated with the University of Bihar, and a college affiliated with Kameshwara Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University. Pop. (2001) 179,190.