Ranchi is the capital city of the Indian state of Jharkhand. Ranchi was the centre of the Jharkhand movement for a separate state for the tribal regions of South Bihar, northern Orissa, Western West Bengal and the present eastern Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand State was formed on 15 November 2000 by carving out the Bihar divisions of Chota Nagpur and Santhal Parganas.
The name Ranchi comes from "archi" an Oraon/Kurukh word for the farmer's "baton" in use while ploughing. The area was an agricultural locality and Doranda (durang da' a Mundari word) was a better known place for its military base and garrison. The present Purani Ranchi was originally known as the village Archi.
