Know more about Old Ratlam

Ratlami Gate which was known for its prestige Ratnapuri (Now known as Ratlam). Gate seems to have built before Independence. Image Source & Credit: Unknown

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Ratlam History

Ratlam (Hindi: रतलाम), known historically as "Ratnapuri". Ratlam is one of the important Districts of Madhya Pradesh Which is situated in the North West part of the State "The MALWA" Region. The New Town of Ratlam was founded by Captain Borthwick in 1829 with regular and broadened streets and well built houses. Ratlam was once one of the first Commercial Towns in Central India being the centre of an extensive trade in opium, tobacco and salt.

It is the administrative headquarters of Ratlam district, which was created in 1947 after the independence of India.[1] Ratlam is also very well known for Gold, Ratlami Sev, Ratlami Saari and its people.

Early History

Ratlam was given to Ratan Singh Rathore as a gift by Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan loved watching elephant fights and therefore held an event, choosing his favorite war elephants and inviting all the clans of Rajputana (present-day Rajasthan) to watch. From the Rathore clan, Ratan Singh was chosen. At the beginning of the festival, one of the elephants ( Keharkope ) went berserk and headed towards Shah Jahan. No one in the crowd was brave enough to move to protect him. Everyone feared for their own lives and fled except Ratan Singh, who swiftly mounted the elephant. With his katar, Singh stabbed the elephant in its head and killed it. Shah Jahan saw this and was so impressed by his bravery that he gave him the entire state of Ratlam, proclaiming him as the king.

Commercial History

Founded by Captain Borthwick in 1829, Ratlam was one of the first commercial cities established in Central India. The city quickly became known for trading in opium, tobacco, and salt, as well as for its bargains called "Sattas". Before the opening of the Rajputana State Railway to Khandwa in 1872, there was no better place to trade than in Ratlam.

Princely History

Ratlam was a princely state in British India, part of Malwa agency of Central India. For a long period of time, the Ratlam region was under rule of the Rathore clan. The rulers were Suryavansha Rathores to which Maharaja of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Kishangarh belonged. The first Ruler was the Maharaja Ratan Singh, he married 12 wives (amongst others), including Maharani Sukhroopde Kanwar Shekhawat Ji Sahiba, daughter of Kunwar Purshottam Das of Jhajhar (Shekhawati) in Rajasthan. She committed sati in 1658. Still Shree Ji Maharajah Natwar Singh Of ratlam Is Belonging To His Family & Living In Jaipur, Rajasthan . The state had an area of 902 sq. mi.,[citation needed] which was closely interlaced with the territories of the princely states of Sailana, Semaliya, Kachhi-baroda and Kanwas. In 1901, Ratlam State had a population of 83,773,[3] with the city population of 36,321[citation needed]. The state had an estimated revenue of INR34,000[citation needed] and paid a INR2,850[citation needed] tribute.


Source: Wikipedia, Ratlam.nic.in


You can know more about current happenings in Ratlam. Please visit our specially curated page of Ratlam Storyto know more transformation of Old to Current - Ratlam City

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