Explore Ranchi
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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.