city, south-central West Bengal state, northeastern India. The city lies just north of the Kasai River and is an agricultural trade centre on the Grand Trunk Road from Kolkata (Calcutta) (Calcutta) to Amritsar. Kharagpur, across the river, provides major rail connections. Rice milling and the manufacture of chemicals and silk cloth are the chief industries. Constituted a municipality in 1865, Midnapore is an educational centre, with numerous colleges affiliated with the University of Calcutta (Calcutta, University of). Rice, corn (maize), legumes, and oilseeds are the chief crops grown in the surrounding area. Pop. (2001) 149,769.