Ranchi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ranchi
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From top left to right: Jagannath Temple, City Skyline, Kanke Dam, BIT Mesra, Argoda-Dibidih Flyover, IIM Ranchi, Ranchi International Cricket Stadium and Ranchi Airport
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| Nickname(s):
City of Waterfalls
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 Ranchi
Location in Jharkhand
Ranchi
Location in India
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| Country |  India |
| State |  Jharkhand |
| District | Ranchi |
| Established | 1833 CE |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal corporation |
| • Body | Ranchi Municipal Corporation |
| Area | |
| • Metropolis | 175.12 km2 (67.61 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 652.02 km2 (251.75 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 651 m (2,136 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Metropolis | 1,073,427 |
| • Rank | 38th |
| • Density | 6,129.67/km2 (15,875.8/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,456,528 |
| Demonym(s) | Ranchite/Ranchiite |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi, English |
| • Regional | Nagpuri |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
834001(83 xxxx)
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| Telephone code | 0651 |
| Vehicle registration | JH-01 |
| Sex ratio(per 1000 male) | 950 |
| Literacy | 87.37% |
| Domestic Airport | Birsa Munda Airport |
| Website | |
Ranchi (
i/ˈrɑːntʃi/) is the capital city of Jharkhand, a state in India. It is also the second largest city in Jharkhand and the main city of Ranchi district. Ranchi was very important in the movement to create a separate state for the tribal areas of South Bihar. This new state, Jharkhand, was formed on November 15, 2000.
Ranchi is one of the oldest cities in Jharkhand. Places like the Jagannath Temple and Ratu Palace show its long history. The city is growing fast, with new parks and industrial areas being built. Ranchi is also known as the City of Waterfalls because of its many beautiful waterfalls. It is being developed as a "Smart City" as part of a special plan by the Indian government.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Ranchi has a few interesting stories behind it.
One popular story says that a British captain named Thomas Wilkinson chose a tribal village called Archi as his main office. In the local Nagpuri dialect, Archi means "bamboo forest." The British accidentally started calling "Archi" "Ranchi." Captain Wilkinson even renamed a village called Kishunpur to Rachi. Until 1927, the place was known as Rachi.
Another idea comes from a book by an expert named Sarat Chandra Roy. He wrote that the name comes from the Mundari word aranchi, which means a "short stick" used to guide cattle. Others think aranchi refers to a market that happens twice a week.
A local legend says Ranchi got its name from a bird called "Rici." This bird, which is a type of black kite, was often seen near Pahari Mandir, a famous hill temple in Ranchi. The Pahari Mandir is even called Rici Buru (meaning "hill of the kites"). The city started at the foot of this hill when a large pond, called Bada Talab, was built there.
A Look at Ranchi's Past
Ranchi has a rich history, with signs of human activity dating back thousands of years.
Early History and Kingdoms
Around 1400 BCE, people in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, where Ranchi is located, were already using iron tools. Later, the powerful Magadha Empire had some control over the area. Armies of the famous ruler Samudra Gupta also passed through here.
In the 4th century CE, a king from the Nagvanshi dynasty named Raja Pratap Rai made Chutia his capital. You can still see some old ruins in Chutia from the 2nd century CE. Even when the Mughal Empire grew, the Nagvanshi kings largely ruled their land independently. In 1691, Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo built the famous Jagannath Temple.
British Rule and Freedom Fighters
After a big battle called the Battle of Buxar, the Nagvanshi rulers became connected to the East India Company (the British trading company). By 1817, the British took more direct control. In 1833, Captain Wilkinson set up a main office in a village he renamed Ranchi.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, a brave freedom fighter named Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo led soldiers against the British. He even defeated British forces in one battle and ruled independently for two years. Other freedom fighters like Pandey Ganpat Rai, Tikait Umrao Singh, and Sheikh Bhikhari also joined the fight. They managed to make the British flee Ranchi for a short time. However, they were later defeated and executed.
Ranchi became a municipality (a self-governing town) in 1869. In 1900, another famous freedom fighter, Birsa Munda, sadly died in Ranchi jail. The Nagvanshi kings moved their capital to Ratu in 1870, and the Ratu Palace was built there in 1900.
Ranchi After Independence
After India gained independence in 1947, Ranchi grew very quickly. Its population jumped because new industries and schools were built, and people who had to leave their homes after the country was divided came to live there.
In 1958, Ranchi became an important industrial town when the Heavy Engineering Corporation was set up. Later, big companies like SAIL and Central Coalfields also made Ranchi their headquarters. Ranchi was the summer capital of Bihar until November 2000, when it became the capital of the newly formed state of Jharkhand.
Ranchi's Location and Weather
Ranchi is located in the southern part of the Chota Nagpur plateau, which is a hilly area. The city covers about 175 square kilometers and is about 651 meters above sea level.
Climate and Environment
Ranchi has a pleasant climate, especially compared to other parts of the state. This is because it's hilly and has many dense forests. However, as the city grows and more trees are cut down, the average temperature has been increasing.
Summers in Ranchi are warm, with temperatures usually between 20 to 42 degrees Celsius. Winters are cooler, ranging from 0 to 25 degrees Celsius. December and January are the coldest months. Ranchi gets a lot of rain, especially from June to September, which is the monsoon season.
Ranchi has been recognized for its clean air, ranking 32nd among large cities in India for air quality.
People and Languages
Ranchi is a city with a large and growing population. In 2011, the city had over 1 million people. More people moved to Ranchi after Jharkhand became a separate state in 2000, because there were more job opportunities.
Languages Spoken
Hindi is the most commonly spoken language in Ranchi. Nagpuri is also a regional language. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Bengali, Kurukh, Mundari, and Maithili.
Religions in Ranchi
| Religion in Ranchi City (2011) | ||||
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| Religion | Percent | |||
| Hinduism | 64.31% | |||
| Islam | 16.42% | |||
| Sarnaism | 9.72% | |||
| Christianity | 8.52% | |||
| Other or not stated | 1.03% | |||
Most people in Ranchi follow Hinduism. Islam is the second largest religion. There are also many Christians and people who follow Sarnaism, a traditional tribal religion.
City Services
Different groups work together to provide services in Ranchi. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation, along with state government departments, manages things like roads, water supply, and waste management. They also run buses to help people get around the city.
Ranchi's Economy
Ranchi is an important industrial city in Eastern India. It's located in a region known for its rich minerals, which makes it a great place for industries that use these minerals.
Major Industries and Companies
Many well-known government and private companies have a presence in Ranchi. These include:
- SAIL-R&D (research and development for steel)
- MECON.Ltd (an engineering and consulting company)
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (makes marine engines)
- Central Coalfields (a coal mining company)
- Heavy Engineering Corp. (makes heavy machinery)
- STPI-Ranchi (a hub for IT companies)
Ranchi is also home to several business groups that help industries grow, like the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FJCCI). There are many industrial areas in Ranchi, such as Kokar, Tatisilwai, and Namkum.
Business and Shopping Areas
The main business and financial areas in Ranchi are Lalpur, Hindpiri, Lower Bazaar, Upper Bazaar, and Doranda. These areas have many shops and offices.
Ranchi has several shopping malls where people can go for shopping and entertainment. Some of these include:
- Nucleus Mall
- JD Hi-Street Mall
- Ranchi Central Mall
- Mall of Ranchi
- City Center Mall
- Galaxia Mall
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Lalpur - A main business area
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The central part of Ranchi is a hub for business and culture
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Arjan Place at Hindpiri, where several companies have offices
Learning in Ranchi
Ranchi has many good universities and institutes where students can get an education.
Universities and Institutes
- Amity University, Jharkhand
- Birsa Agricultural University (for agriculture studies)
- Central Institute of Psychiatry Ranchi (for mental health studies)
- Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi (for IT studies)
- Indian Institute of Management Ranchi (for business management)
- National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
- Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (for medical studies)
- Ranchi University
- Sarala Birla University
Sports in Ranchi
Ranchi is a lively place for sports, especially cricket, hockey, and football.
Sporting Events and Facilities
The city successfully hosted the 34th National Games in 2011, which is a big sports event in India.
Ranchi has an impressive International Cricket Stadium with an indoor stadium and practice grounds. This stadium has hosted many important cricket matches, including international games and matches for the Indian Premier League. There's also a tennis academy near the cricket stadium.
Famous Sports Personalities
M.S. Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian Cricket Team, lives in Ranchi.
Sports Teams and Stadiums
Ranchi has its own hockey team called the Ranchi Rays.
The city has several stadiums for different sports:
- Jaipal Singh Stadium
- JSCA International Cricket Stadium (for cricket)
- Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium (for hockey)
- Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium (for track and field)
- Birsa Munda Football Stadium (for football)
- Mega Sports Complex (a large complex for various sports)
Places to Visit in Ranchi
Ranchi is known as the "City of Waterfalls" and has many beautiful places to explore.
- Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park: A large park with animals and plants.
- Dassam Falls: A beautiful waterfall.
- Getalsud Dam: Also known as Rukka Dam, built in 1971.
- Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church: The oldest church in Eastern and Northern India.
- Hundru Falls: Another stunning waterfall.
- Jagannath Temple: An old temple built in 1691.
- Jonha Falls: Also called Gautamdhara, a place linked to Gautama Buddha.
- Kanke Dam: Also known as Gonda Dam, built in 1955.
- Rock Garden: A garden built along Kanke Dam.
- Nakshatra Van: A unique park based on stars and trees.
- Pahari Mandir: A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on a hill.
- Patratu Valley: A scenic valley.
- Ranchi Science Centre: A place to learn about science.
- Ratu Palace: The former home of the Nagvanshi kings.
- Sita Falls: Another beautiful waterfall.
- Ranchi State Museum: An art museum.
- St.Mary's Cathedral: One of Ranchi's oldest churches, built in 1847.
- Tagore Hill: A hill named after Jyotirindranath Tagore, the elder brother of famous poet Rabindranath Tagore.
Famous People from Ranchi
Many talented people have connections to Ranchi:
- Rajesh Chauhan: A former Indian cricketer.
- MS Dhoni: Former captain of the Indian Cricket Team.
- Deepika Kumari: A professional archer from India.
- Anjana Om Kashyap: A well-known Indian journalist.
- Komal Jha: An actress.
- Anushka Sen: An actress.
- Vishwanath Shahdeo: A freedom fighter.
See also
In Spanish: Ranchi para niños
