Ranchi: A City Rich in History and Natural Beauty

As you plan your move, it’s fascinating to delve into the history of Ranchi, a city that beautifully blends its rich past with modern development.

Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, holds significant historical importance. Its name is believed to be derived from a local bird, ‘Ranchi,’ or from the Mundari word ‘Aranchi,’ referring to a short stick used in driving cattle, or a bi-weekly market. Another popular tale suggests British Captain Thomas Wilkinson chose “Archi” (an Oraon tribal village meaning bamboo forest) as headquarters, which was inadvertently renamed “Ranchi.”

A Glimpse into Ranchi’s Past:

• Ancient Roots: The region around Ranchi has been inhabited since ancient times by various indigenous tribes, including the Munda and Oraon communities. Evidence of iron slag, pot sheds, and iron tools around 1400 BCE points to early human activity.
• Nagvanshi Dynasty: For centuries, this region was under the rule of the Nagvanshi kings. In the 4th century CE, Nagvanshi king Raja Pratap Rai chose Chutia (now a locality in Ranchi) as his capital. Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo built the significant Jagannath Temple in 1691.
• Kol Rebellion and British Influence: The district’s current form emerged around the time of the Kol uprising in 1831-32. The British established administrative control, initially moving their headquarters to Lohardaga in 1833, and then to the village of Kishunpur in 1843, which they renamed Ranchi. Ranchi became a municipality in 1869 and was first recognized as a town in the 1872 census.
• Summer Capital and Freedom Struggle: During the British Raj, Ranchi gained prominence as a hill station and served as the summer capital of Bihar (which then included present-day Jharkhand). The city played a crucial role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, with local leaders like Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo, Pandey Ganpat Rai, Tikait Umrao Singh, and Sheikh Bhikhari leading resistance against the British. Later, freedom fighter Birsa Munda, revered as “Birsa Bhagwan,” led significant tribal movements and tragically died in Ranchi jail in 1900.
• Tagore Connection: Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s eldest brother, Jyotirindranath Tagore, settled in Ranchi in 1912. The famous Tagore Hill, where his house “Shanti Dham” was located, is named after him.
• Post-Independence Growth and Jharkhand Formation: After independence, Ranchi witnessed a significant population surge due to industrial and educational developments. In 1958, Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) was set up, making Ranchi an “administrative-cum-industrial” town. It continued as Bihar’s summer capital until November 15, 2000, when it proudly became the capital of the newly formed state of Jharkhand, fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of its people.

Today, Ranchi is not only known for its historical significance but also for its stunning natural beauty, including famous waterfalls like Hundru Falls, Jonha Falls, and Dassam Falls, and its lush green surroundings. Moving to Ranchi means embracing a city with a vibrant culture, a strong connection to nature, and a promising future.