Ranchi

Ranchi the capital of Jharkhand, is also one of the most populated cities in India. The city derives its name from an old name of village Oraon. The village was earlier known as Archi, which means bamboo grove or stave. The city was ruled by Munda Rajas in earlier times and the region is believed to have been a part of the Magadh Empire during the reign of King Ashoka. Ranchi has many places of interests for the tourists and the local visitors. Some of these are: Gonda Hill and Rock Garden: Situated on the Kanke Road, the garden is carved out of the rocks of Gonda Hills. It is an artificial garden and has waterfalls and sculptures which attract many tourists. Resembling the design of the rock garden in Jaipur, its appearance strikes a balance between the modern and the ancient creativity.

In ancient times the tract which corresponds to the district of Ranchi and the neighouring parganas was in the undisturbed possession of Munda and Oraon Tribes and was known to Aryans as Jharkhand or the 'forest territory'. The entire tract was presumably beyond the pale of the direct Hindu influence in ancient India. However, Jarasandh, the mighty emperor of Rajgriha in the Mahabharat period might have exercised some kind of loose supervision over the area. Similarly, Magapadmand Agrasen of Magadh, who subdued the entire country upto Orissa, might have gained some control over Jharkhand as well.

Ranchi is also the capital of Jharkhand. With the tourism of this city slowly catching pace, Ranchi will soon be considered as one of the important destinations in India. Ranchi has beautiful waterfalls and hills that make this place the most favored holiday destination in Jharkhand. The most popular places in this city include Ranchi Hill, Kanke Dam, Tagore hill and Hudru falls, Hatia Museum and Tribal Research Institute and Museum. The city has a very rich variety of trees and wildlife, Mau