city, northeastern Andhra Pradesh state, southern India, in the Krishna River delta. The city was founded in the mid-18th century by the French, but in 1788 it was ceded to the British. It became a municipality in 1866. A railroad junction and trade centre, Guntur's economy is dominated by the growing of jute, tobacco, and rice. Guntur is the site of an agricultural research station. Andhra Christian College, a government college, a medical college, and several other colleges are affiliated with Andhra University. Nearby is a ruined 12th-century hill fortress.