Ranchi Lake
freshwater lake in Jharkhand, India
Ranchi Lake, popularly known as Ranchi Talab or Bada Talab, is a freshwater lake in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. It is situated at the base of Ranchi Hill and spans over 53 acres. It has a 33-feet statue of Swami Vivekananda.
History
The lake was created in 1842 by a British agent, Colonel Onsely. Constructed during the colonial period, the lake was a vital source of water supply for the city, reflecting the strategic urban planning of the time. Over the years, however, the purpose of Ranchi Lake has transcended mere utility; it has metamorphosed into a cultural and recreational focal point for the city.
Geography
Ranchi Lake is strategically positioned at the base of Ranchi Hill, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the shimmering waters. The geographical setting, surrounded by hills and greenery, adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the lake. The vast expanse of water reflects the skies above, creating a mesmerizing play of colors during sunrise and sunset.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Ranchi Lake” as freshwater lake in Jharkhand, India. Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
Why this record matters
The subject matters to the places & architecture register because the source frames it as freshwater lake in Jharkhand, India. Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Place names and jurisdictional language are key evidence: both can reveal earlier catalogue descriptions and overlooked record series. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jul 29, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q133837171. Authority coordinates are 23.367, 85.317. None of the 1 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1842.
Modern boundaries and familiar names can conceal earlier jurisdictions or structures that do not align with the present site. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Ranchi Lake”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Ranchi Lake primary sources, Ranchi Lake archive and Ranchi research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Ranchi Lake”?
- What physical evidence or contemporary plan supports the description?
- Which authority defined the place, boundary or structure at the relevant date?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Ranchi Lake” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.