States that changed names and why!

1. On September 30, 1996, this state changed the name of its capital city. The older name was used by the British and has various origin stories but none can be authenticated. One theory states that it is derived from the Portuguese term for ‘Mother of God’, whereas another says that it is the shortening of the name of a fishing village. The current name actually comes from the name of a Telugu ruler from whom the British acquired the town in 1639. What are the two names of this city?

2. This popular tourist destination has various origin stories about its long name. The very first mention of it is found in a letter from 1821. The name is supposed to have come from the local words for ‘single stone’ and the word for ‘village’. The name that is used popularly has four letters, none of which appear in the official thirteen-letter name of this city. What are the two names of this city that is nown as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’?

3. This city used to be called Chandanavati after its ruler Raja Chandan. At some point in time, it got its present name that comes from the Sanskrit word for ‘heart of the banyan tree’. English travellers corrupted the word into another version that lives on in the name of a prominent bank. What is the name of this city which is located on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, and what did they call it?

4. This is one of the major cities of this state and is known as the Marble City. Its name comes from the Arabic word for ‘rock’ and the Sanskrit word for ‘city’. There is an anecdotal theory that it comes from the name of a saint, which means ‘cow-herder’. During the British rule, the name was corrupted into ‘Jubbulpore’ and, in 2006, the city corporation officially changed it to what it is now. What is the name of the city, and in which state is it located?

5. Called the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, this city was an important spice trading centre on the west coast of India. Its name is believed to have come from either the local word for ‘small lagoon’ or ‘harbour’. The British added an extra letter at the end of the name. In 1996, the city reverted to its original name, though many official institutions still harbour the English spelling. What are the two names of this city?

6. This city has been a seat of power and influence since the sixth century BC. It has the only natural harbor on the east coast of India. Local belief states that a fourth-century king halted at the bay during his pilgrimage and built a temple dedicated to Vaisakha. Though this submerged later, the name was carried over to the city. The British administrators couldn’t pronounce the full thirteen-letter name, so they shortened it to five letters. The city was also known as ‘Waltair’ at one time and a railway division by that name still exists. What are the two names of this city?

7. _______, Sutanuti and Govindapur were three villages, which, after the Battle of Plassey, were rebuilt by the British as a city. One theory says the name of that village comes from the local word for ‘canal’, beside which it was located. Another theory is that it comes from the word for ‘lime’ and ‘burnt shell’ in the local dialect. During transcription by the British, it received its Anglicized name. In 2001, it was officially changed to its present version. What are the two names this city has?

8. The name of this city probably originates from the two rivers, tributaries of the Ganga, that flow through the city. It is referred to in the Rigveda as the ‘city of light’. The alternate name does not come from an English influence but because of references in the Pali language. It is supposed to have risen from the formulaic beginning of numerous tales: ‘Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was reigning in _______’. This name is still used to refer to many products that are produced here. What are these two names?

9. The oldest reference to this city’s name is found on a copper plate dating back to the Rashtrakuta Dynasty from 937 CE. The name means ‘city of virtue’ and it is referred to as the ‘Oxford of the East’ because of the presence of several educational institutions. In 1978, the erstwhile British spelling was changed back to the more traditional name that is in use now. What are these two names?

10. Earlier known as Venugram, which means ‘bamboo village’ in Sanskrit, this city is officially its state’s second capital. Due to its proximity to Goa, it was used as a military base by the British and, even now, has military installations. The city is also known as Kunda Nagari because of a sweet dish called Kunda, which is made here. In 2014, the city’s name was changed but its residents still refer to it by the old name. What are these names?

ANSWERS:

1. Madras & Chennai
2. Ooty & Udagamandalam
3. Vadodara and Baroda
4. Jabalpur, MP
5. Cochin and Kochi
6. Visakhapatnam and Vizag
7. Calcutta and Kolkata
8. Varanasi and Benares
9. Poona and Pune
10. Belgaum and Belagavi