Ranigunj: How this locality in Secunderabad got its name

Hyderabad: The busy locality of Ranigunj is located in Secunderabad. Not many know the origin of its name. Ranigunj is named after Queen Victoria. It was earlier the Victoria Grain Market or Queen's Market. An arch at the entry to this market still stands.

The arch was the Gateway to the market and was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Delhi Durbar of 1877. The Rani Gunj market, named after Queen Victoria, who was the Queen when this was built, is no longer only a grain market but a hub for people purchasing tools and hardware. Two of the oldest markets in Secunderabad- Regimental Bazaar and General Bazaar are also located here.

Secunderabad a British Cantonment

Secunderabad was a British army Cantonment, established during the reign of Sikander Jah under a treaty signed by him with the British.Over the passage of time there was a need for the British to establish commercial spaces and markets, and during this period, James Street, Oxford Street (now Sarojini Devi road) and Victoria Grain Market were built.

Impressive Arch

The impressive arch is inscribed with the name of the market in Telugu, Urdu, and English. A prayer on top of the arch was inscribed so that the market would prosper. However, the area around the arch has small shops and only the main arch bears testimony to the days gone by.

Roads leading to Ranigunj

James Street (now Mahatma Gandhi Road) and King’s Way (now Rashtrapati or R P Road) both lead to Rani Gunj. Many better-known heritage buildings are in this vicinity like the two Parsi Fire Temples, the SaidanimaTomb and the James Street Police Station.

Origin lost in time

The origin of the name Ranigunj is lost in time, but the Arch and Entrance to the Queen Victoria Grain Market still stand proud and strong. Now it is only the seekers of Hyderabad’s history and those taking Heritage Walks who visit the arch to take pictures. The original arch is almost hidden amongst newer walls and structures that have come up all around it. The rest of the people in this area go about their daily chores and shopping in the lanes, unaware of the rich history behind the name Ranigunj which was once the bustling Queen Victoria Grain Market.