Cuttack district is an administrative district in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Named after its headquarters, the historic city of Cuttack, the district lies in the coastal plains of the Mahanadi delta and is one of the oldest urban-administrative regions of Odisha. The city of Cuttack served as the capital of Odisha for several centuries before the capital was shifted to Bhubaneswar in 1948.
| State | Odisha |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cuttack |
| Region | Coastal Odisha, Mahanadi delta |
| Country | India |
| Major river | Mahanadi |
The district is situated in the deltaic plains formed by the Mahanadi and its distributaries, including the Kathjodi, Birupa and Chitrotpala. The terrain is largely flat and fertile, supporting intensive paddy cultivation, although the western fringes of the district extend into undulating uplands. The district is bordered by Jajpur to the north, Kendrapara to the east, Jagatsinghpur to the south-east, Khordha to the south, Nayagarh to the south-west and Dhenkanal to the west.
Cuttack district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate under the Government of Odisha. The district is divided into sub-divisions, tahasils and community development blocks for revenue and developmental administration. The headquarters at Cuttack also hosts the Orissa High Court, which has been seated in the city since its establishment in 1948.
The region around Cuttack has a long recorded history dating back to the early medieval period. The city of Cuttack was reportedly founded by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and was later developed by successive rulers, including the Gajapatis. It served as the capital of Odisha under several dynasties and continued as the provincial capital under Maratha and British administration. After Indian independence, the capital of Odisha was shifted to Bhubaneswar in 1948, although Cuttack retained importance as a commercial, judicial and educational hub.
The economy of the district combines agriculture in the deltaic countryside with trade, services and industry in and around Cuttack city. Paddy is the principal crop, alongside pulses, vegetables and sugarcane. Traditional crafts such as silver filigree (tarakasi) and handloom weaving are associated with Cuttack and surrounding areas. The city is a centre for wholesale trade, banking, healthcare and education in central Odisha.
Cuttack district hosts several long-established institutions, including Ravenshaw University (originally Ravenshaw College, founded in 1868), the Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, and the Madhusudan Law University. The Orissa High Court at Cuttack is the principal court of the state.
The district is known for the Bali Yatra, an annual fair held on the banks of the Mahanadi commemorating the maritime trade links between ancient Kalinga and South-East Asia. Durga Puja in Cuttack, noted for its elaborate silver and gold filigree decorations (chandi medha), is among the most prominent festivals of the region.
Cuttack is well connected by road and rail. National Highway 16, part of the Chennai–Kolkata corridor, passes through the district. Cuttack railway station is a major station on the Howrah–Chennai main line of the East Coast Railway. The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport at Bhubaneswar.