Rani Padmini Of Ranikhet
Ranikhet, a tiny sleazy hamlet situated in the state of Uttaranchal, India was an unknown locale until Rani Padmini discovered this place in the 12th century. Ranikhet which literally means 'A Queen's meadow' is closely related to the queen who christened this place as Ranikhet. Located just 60 kms away from Nainital and 50 kms away from Almora, Ranikhet is a perfect summer retreat from the sun-scorched northern plains. The town proffers unparalleled beauty, tranquil environs, magnificent views of the majestic Himalayas and verdant greenery. Surrounded by lush green forests and towering deodar trees, the place is an alluring destination for the tourists coming from far and wide. The alpine weather, the salubrious air and the cool breeze all summons nature lovers to Ranikhet where one finds nature in its pristine best. Same was the case with Rani Padmini, queen of an erstwhile Garhwali king.
The history of the town is as interesting as the town itself. According to the ancient account, the Garhwal region was under the rule of the Katyuri dynasty from 8th-14th century and later was ruled by the Chand dynasty. In 1180, the ruling king was Raja Sukherdev and the name of his queen was Rani Padmini. On one of her excursions to the surrounding areas, Rani Padmini accidentally reached this unknown destination. Ranikhet is also known for being the place where Raja Sukherdev won over Rani Padmini's heart. Due to the exquisite beauty of Ranikhet, the queen decided to make it her abode. She found this place perfect for leisure activity, study and amusement etc. That is why the place came to be known as Ranikhet meaning field of Rani. It is said that the name Ranikhet was given by the queen herself.
Ranikhet reflects the best of the celestial Himalayas- the luxuriant woodlands, snow capped mountain peaks, the green glens, blossoming flora, multihued avian species and attractive fauna. Perched at an elevation of 6000 ft, Ranikhet is a charming place. Offering the best panoramic views, there are dense wooded slopes of pine and deodar giving way to small rivulets which further pierce the flower carpeted vales. Rani Padmini was so enamored by the beauty of this enchanting town that she decided to reside here only. The sylvan hill station set in the Kumaon hills was so tempting that she urged Raja Sukherdev to build a palace for her in this region. Even the king liked the place immensely and a huge castle was constructed in the region for Rani Padmini, near what is now the Ranikhet Club. It took few years to erect the castle. Although, there are hardly any remnants or the remains of any castle but according to local inhabitants, Rani Padmini did stay in the region for some time in her beautiful castle. According to the legends, since this place had won the heart of Rani Padmini, she opted to make this picturesque town her residence and the place for relaxation. She used to spend her vacations here in the castle and visited the region frequently to enjoy the salubrious environs of Ranikhet.
Ranikhet somehow went into oblivion for several years and was later rediscovered by the Britishers who transformed it into a cantonment town and established the headquarters of the Kumaon regiment in 1869. Ranikhet is still a cantonment town and the town is still the base for Kumaon and Naga regiment of Indian Army.
The name of Rani Padmini is closely associated with the township of Ranikhet.