KATWA

katwa, or cutwa, a town of british india, in burdwan district, bengal, situated at the confluence of the bhagirathi and ajai rivers. pop. (1901), 7220. it was the residence of many wealthy merchants, but its commercial importance has declined as it is without railway communication and the difficulties of the river navigation have increased. it was formerly regarded as the key to murshidabad. the old fort, of which scarcely a vestige remains, is noted as the scene of the defeat of the mahrattas by ali vardi khan.