Ratnal

Ratnal is a village near the town of Anjar in the Anjar taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Anjar and 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Bhuj capital of Kutch.

History

Rabaris claim that Ratnal was founded by them about 500 years ago. Yaduvanshi Ahirs people are believed to enter Ratnal for the first time. Ahirs are the majority in Ratnal now.

Earthquake of January 26, 2001

The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, India's 51st Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time (3:16 UTC) and lasted for over two minutes. The earthquake reached a magnitude of between 7.6 and 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum felt intensity of X (Intense) on the Mercalli intensity scale.

The village was almost completely destroyed in the January 26, 2001 earthquake. It is estimated that 175 people died in the village on that day.Bill Clinton has previously visited the village.

Economy

The people are mainly involved in agriculture and transportation. Ahir women of Ratnal are famous for their embroidery and patch-work. According to an India Today survey Ratnal is the only village in world having more than 1436 trucks. People are mainly involved in transportation and cultivation of oil-seeds, cotton and other seasonal crops. Other smaller sources of employment are petrol pumps, tea stalls, pesticides sales. Some of the natives also work for the Indian Railways.