RATLAM

About Ratlam ( Ratnapuri )

Ratlam About this sound pronunciation (helpinfo) (Hindi: ), known historically as Ratnapuri (Sanskrit: , lit. gem city) is a city in the northwestern part of the Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The city of Ratlam lies 480 metres (1,575 feet) above sea level. It is the administrative headquarters of Ratlam district, which was created in 1947 after the independence of India.[2] Ratlam is also very well known for Gold, Ratlami Sev, Ratlami Saree and its people.The famous Kalika Mata Temple,Kedareshwar Temple(Sailana),Jain Tirth(Bibrod) and Hussain Tekri(Jaora) is situated here.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 favourite 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.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. The city is known for its love of food, its taste particularly the world popular salty snack 'Ratlami Sev'. Purity of Gold Jewellery and Saree Market of Ratlam outshines in India.Ratlam is located at coordinates: 23190N 75040E (23.316667, 75.066667). The city has an area of 15.13 square miles (39.19 km)[citation needed]. It is very close to the borders of Rajasthan and Gujarat.