Journal & Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal December 1908

The Etymology of Ranchi." By MAULAVI ‘Anou'L WALL A few years ago the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi found it impossible to trace the origin of the word Rkfichi the administrative headquarters of the District of the same name and of the Chota Nagpur Division. [...] Was the deo or the man in the shape of a demon one of the Mundas who as it is said preceded the Oraofis in their migration to Chota Nagpur plteau and whose land the latter was going forcibly to cultivate ? If fancy can picture the correct situation the fable clearly demonstrates the fact that however peaceful might be the settlement of the Oraofis they dispossessed by force the Mundis o [...] The emigration of the Oraofis in large numbers was the cause of the rupture which at last compelled the INItindäs to leave the place and move to the south. [...] In 1899 the name of the District of Lohardaga was changed to that of Ranchi—the archi of the Oraons of the fablous time. [...] Colonel Prain had meanwhile left the country and the writer's search for the journal in the libraries of the Botanic Gardens and the Asiatic Society proved unsuccesful; he finally bethought himself of that refuge of the despairing searcher after scientific literature the library of the Geological Survey of India and he found the required information.