Jharkhand Raj Bhavan renamed Lok Bhavan under new national directive

The Raj Bhavan in Jharkhand, spread across 62 acres in state capital Ranchi, was officially renamed Lok Bhavan on Wednesday, as part of a nationwide initiative to shed colonial-era titles.

Alongwith the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi, the Raj Bhavan in Dumka has also been renamed.

The change comes in the wake of instructions from the home ministry on renaming Raj Bhavans across the country as Lok Bhavan and Raj Niwas as Lok Niwas.

A notification issued by the Jharkhand Raj Bhavan said along with it, the Dumka Raj Bhavan were renamed Lok Bhavan, following the ministry's communication in this regard and approval from Governor Sanosh Kumar Gangwar.

Situated in the heart of Ranchi, the main Raj Bhavan complex spans across 52 acres and the Audrey House occupies 10 acres.

Construction of the Raj Bhavan began in 1930 and was completed in March 1931 at an estimated cost of Rs 7 lakh.

The imposing structure was designed by architect Sadlow Ballerd, and its ceilings are 18-20 feet high, while the walls are 14-inch thick. Some of the imported tiles at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi still have the 'Made in England' tag etched on them.

Another attraction of the Raj Bhawan is the Audrey House, which has now been converted into a heritage house.

The Raj Bhavan is also a repository of a rich collection of Indian classical art and artefacts.

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