city, northwestern Madhya Pradesh state, west-central India. The city lies along the Sau River, a tributary of the Chambal (Chambal River). Mandsaur is of considerable antiquity. Just to the southeast lie monolithic stone pillars with inscriptions referring to the erection of a sun temple in 437 CE. To the east lies a 14th-century fort. The city was formerly part of the Gwalior princely state. Today it is a road and rail junction and a trade centre for grain, cotton, and cloth fabrics. Cotton ginning and milling, sugar milling, food processing, and hand-loom weaving are major industries. Mandsaur has several colleges affiliated with Vikram University (1957), a music academy, and a technological institute. Pop. (2001) 116,505.