Baripada

Baripada, city, northeastern Odisha (Orissa) state, eastern India. It is situated in the Utkal Plains along the Burhabalang River, about 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of Baleshwar.

Baripada was founded in about 1800. The city is a trade centre for rice, sugarcane, and timber and has some industry, including pottery making, distilling, and weaving. The former ruler’s palace now houses Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College (established 1948), and there is an archaeological museum. A narrow-gauge rail line links the city with the South-Eastern Railway along the coast. Several protected natural areas are located near the city, notably Simlipal Wildlife Sanctuary (1979) to the west and southwest, which contains elephant and tiger reserves. Pop. (2001) 95,004; (2011) 109,743.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.