{{Short description|Tutelary guardian deity in eastern India}} '''Rankini''' ({{Langx|bn|রাঙ্কিনি}}) is a guardian deity, primarily worshipped in the eastern parts of India, including Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. She is associated with protection, strength, fertility and prosperity.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maity |first=Pradyot Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gJS1slWE4X4C&dq=rankini+deity&pg=PA155 |title=Human Fertility Cults and Rituals of Bengal: A Comparative Study |date=1989 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-263-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=McDaniel |first=June |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OM-cW9iAibcC&dq=rankini+deity&pg=PA23 |title=Making Virtuous Daughters and Wives: An Introduction to Women's Brata Rituals in Bengali Folk Religion |date=2012-02-01 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-0-7914-8765-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhaumik |first=Sudarshana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKh4EAAAQBAJ&dq=rankini+deity&pg=PT95 |title=The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal: Depiction from the Mangalkavyas c. 1700–1931 |date=2022-08-26 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-64143-1 |language=en}}</ref>
== Description == Rankini is a tribal demon goddess, revered by various tribal communities, especially the Bhumij tribe of eastern India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Russell |first=Robert Vane |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7BNiEAAAQBAJ&dq=rankini+deity&pg=PT994 |title=The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India: Ethnological Study of the Caste System |date=2022-01-04 |publisher=e-artnow |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ghosh |first=G. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6eBAAAAMAAJ&q=rankini+deity |title=Legends of Origin of the Castes and Tribes of Eastern India |date=2000 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-81-7102-046-1 |language=en}}</ref> Her shrines are often found in remote jungles, reflecting her connection to nature and the wilderness.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dalton |first=Edward Tuite |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wxWAAAAcAAJ&dq=rankini+deity&pg=PA176 |title=Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal |date=1872 |publisher=Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing |language=en}}</ref> She is typically represented by a naturally occurring stone, which is believed to symbolize her presence.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=link |first1=Get |last2=Facebook |last3=Twitter |last4=Pinterest |last5=Email |last6=Apps |first6=Other |title=Rankini Devi – About Goddess Rankini |url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2015/07/rankini-devi-about-goddess-rankini.html?m=1 |access-date=2024-10-01}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2024}}
Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay's "Rankini Debir Khadga" tells a chilling tale set in the village of Chero, Maanbhoom, where an abandoned temple to Rankini stands. The protagonist discovers that Rankini is actually a form of the goddess Kali, worshipped by the wild tribals who once lived in the region. Rankini, associated with barbaric practices like human sacrifices, is believed to bring death and famine when enraged. His discovery of a bloodied machete in his house triggers a series of disastrous events, including a cholera outbreak. Villagers fear Rankini as a harbinger of calamity. Ultimately, her wrath is misunderstood; she only warns of impending disaster.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manzoor |first=Sohana |date=2018-08-20 |title=The Machete of the Goddess |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/literature/the-machete-the-goddess-1622605 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bandyopādhyāẏa |first=Bibhūtibhūshaṇa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F4pjAAAAMAAJ&q=rankini+deity |title=Fascinating Stories |date=1996 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-7201-948-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Bhattacharjee |first1=Ritwick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xacqEAAAQBAJ&dq=rankini+debi&pg=PT74 |title=Horror Fiction in the Global South: Cultures, Narratives and Representations |last2=Ghosh |first2=Saikat |date=2021-04-30 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-90077-28-1 |language=en}}</ref> She is also considered the family deity of the princely states of Dhalbhum and Jamboni. It is said that human sacrifice was offered to the goddess every year.<ref name=Ghosh>Ghosh, Binoy, ''Paschim Banger Sanskriti'', (in Bengali), part II, 1978 edition, p. 56, Prakash Bhaban</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Anindita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FJnaAAAAMAAJ&q=jamboni+rankini |title=British Forest Policy and Tribal Community in Bengal, 1880-1947 |date=2006 |publisher=Readers Service |isbn=978-81-87891-58-1 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Reid |first=J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hPk2AQAAMAAJ&dq=dhalbhum+rankini&pg=PA3 |title=Final Report on the Survey and Settlement of Pargana Dhalbhum in the District of Singhbhum, 1906 to 1911 |date=1912 |publisher=Bengal Secretariat Book Departmentôt |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Indian deities Category:Sacred groves