a district of Bengal, in the province of Orissa, containing an area of 4015 square miles, and about half a million of inhabitants. The bulk of the people are Hindus, but there is a greater proportion of Mohammedans than in most other parts of India. Some portion of this extensive district consists of a jungle swarming with noxious animals, and exceedingly unhealthy, although the land is rich and fertile. This district was formally ceded to the East India Company in 1761. It is traversed by numerous rivers, the principal of which are the Soobnureeka and the Kosai. The country produces abundance of grain, sugar, tobacco, cotton, and indigo. On the sea-shore salt is an important object of manufacture. Its principal towns are Midnapore, Jellaisore, Piply, and Narraingur. Midnapore, the capital, formerly possessed a fort, which has been converted into a criminal prison. It is 70 miles W. by S. from Calcutta. Long. 87° 23' E.; Lat. 22° 25' N.