Ranka

The Ranka are an ethnic group belonging to the Marwari community of Rajasthan.

The history of Ranka is related with two key persons. Kaku and Pata were two Goud rajputs, residing in city Vallabhi (Saurashtra). When Vallabhi was destroyed, they settled in Marwar. In their 5th generation were Ranka and Banka. Both the brothers were farmers in a village near Pali.

When Acharya Shri Jinvallabh Suri arrived in the village they also went to listen the sermon with the villagers. They were impressed and became Jain. As per the instructions of the Acharya they left the farming and started business. They both earned wealth and fame.

Acharya Shri Jindutt Suri made them Oswals in VS 1185 and their gotras were named Ranka and Banka.

SETH, SETHIA:- Once the king of Sidhpur, Pattan needed a loan. These two brothers gave a loan of 65 lacks in golden coins, so the king honoured them with the titles 'SETH' and 'SETHIA' and gave them the right to wear gold crowns. Hence they were named Ranka-Seth and Banka-Sethia.

ACCORDING TO MAHAJAN VANSH MUKTAVALI:- One day Acharya Shri Jinvallabh Suri arrived in the cottage of Ranka and Banka for alms. After taking alms the Acharya told them to leave the farming and to do business, and follow Jainism otherwise a snake would bite them, but they did not care.

One evening when they were returning home they put the foot on the tale of the snake. Snake became furious, so they ran and snake followed. They jumped in a tank and then entered the temple of Chamunda. They saw that the snake was waiting for them. Now they worshipped the Chamunda. The devi appeared and reminded them what the Acharya had said and to him. They agreed and the snake went away.

They returned and started business. They earned a lot. Acharya Jindutt Suri made them oswals. One day a stranger came and gave them a pot full of some liquid, to keep till his return. They hanged the pot in kitchen. One day when their wife was cooking food suddenly a drop of liquid of the pot fell on the couldron, and it turn into gold. Then they made a heap of gold. They spent money for the welfare of the general public, poor, on religious occasions, and so on. Once they gave a loan of 65 lacs gold coins to the king of Sidhpur Pattan.

In their generation there were Kala, Gora, Boke and Duk. And the gotras were named accordingly.

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