Cuttack, Historic city in Odisha, India
Cuttack is a large city in Odisha, India, spread across a river delta where the Mahanadi splits into multiple channels. The urban area stretches along both banks, with bridges linking neighborhoods separated by water.
Rulers from the Keshari dynasty founded a fortified settlement here in the late tenth century, which later became the capital for several regional kingdoms. The city kept this central role until the nineteenth century, when British colonial administrators moved the government to Bhubaneswar.
The name Cuttack comes from the Sanskrit words meaning military camp, reflecting its origins as a fortress settlement on the river. During the autumn festival season, neighborhoods compete to build the most elaborate temporary shrines, drawing crowds from across the region to view the displays.
The city sits on a major railway line that connects travelers to other large cities across eastern and southern India. Many points of interest are located in the older part of town, where narrow lanes run between residential buildings and shops.
Local craftspeople work with fine silver wire to create jewelry and decorative objects in a technique passed down through centuries. These filigree pieces are made in small workshops often run by families.
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