KATWA, or CUTWA  , a town of British India, in Burdwan district, Bengal, situated at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Ajai rivers . Pop . (19o1), 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 l`Zurshidabad . The old fort, of which scarcely a vestige remains, is noted as the scene of the defeat of the Mahrattas by Ali Vardi Khan .