Ranchi is the capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement, which called for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar, northern Orissa, western West Bengal and the eastern area of what is present-day Chhattisgarh. The Jharkhand state was formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the Bihar divisions of Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas.
The name Ranchi is derived from the previous name of the Oraon village at the same site, Archi. "Archi" derives from the Oraon word for bamboo grove or stave. According to legend, after an altercation with a spirit, a farmer beat the spirit with his bamboo stave. The spirit shouted archi, archi, archi and vanished. Archi became Rachi, which became Ranchi. One of the historically significant neighbourhoods of Rachi is Doranda (duran "????" means song and daah "???" means water in the Mundari language). Doranda lies between the Hinoo (Bhusur) & Harmoo Rivers, where the civil station, treasury and church established by the British Raj were destroyed by rebel forces during the Sepoy Mutiny.
Ranchi has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under PM Narendra Modi's flagship Smart Cities Mission. Ranchi is well known for being the hometown of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni.
An International Cricket stadium with an indoor stadium and a practice ground has been constructed. So far, this stadium has hosted three One day International matches and one T20 International match. Apart from that, this stadium has hosted two IPL 6 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders, three champions league 2013 matches and Celebrity Cricket League Matches for Bhojpuri Dabanggs. A tennis academy, which was inaugurated by Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, also runs besides the cricket stadium.
Rajesh Chauhan, former Indian cricketer, was born in Ranchi
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ex-Captain of Indian Cricket Team, famous for winning Cricket World Cup in 2011
Carl Haeberlin, German physician, was born in Ranchi
Deepika Kumari, International Level Archer
Peter Mansfield, British journalist and historian, was born in Ranchi
Kariya Munda, Deputy Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha(2009–14) and Member of Parliament from Khunti, Jharkhand
Vinay Pathak, actor schooled at Vikas Vidyalaya, Ranchi
Pat Reid MBE MC, escapee from Colditz Castle, was born in Ranchi
Telesphore Toppo, Cardinal-Archbishop of Ranchi in the Roman Catholic Church.
Tapen Sen, Former Judge Calcutta High Court, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Jharkhand High Court.