Ratlam is a city and the administrative headquarters of Ratlam district in the Malwa region of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Located in the western part of the state, it is an important commercial centre and a major railway junction on the Western Railway, connecting Mumbai with Delhi via the Vadodara–Mathura main line.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Ratlam |
| Region | Malwa |
| Languages | Hindi, Malvi |
| Civic body | Ratlam Municipal Corporation |
| Railway zone | Western Railway (Ratlam Division) |
Ratlam lies on the Malwa Plateau in western Madhya Pradesh, at an elevation of roughly 480 metres above sea level. The city experiences a tropical climate, with hot summers, a monsoon season from June to September, and mild winters. Black cotton soil typical of the Malwa region surrounds the city and supports the cultivation of wheat, soybean, gram, and oilseeds.
Ratlam was founded in the seventeenth century. According to the traditional account, the area was granted by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to Ratan Singh, a Rathore Rajput, in recognition of his services. Ratan Singh established the town that later took its name from him, and the line of rulers he founded governed the princely state of Ratlam.
During the British period, Ratlam was a salute state under the Central India Agency. It acceded to the Indian Union after independence in 1947 and was subsequently integrated into the state of Madhya Bharat, which was merged into Madhya Pradesh in 1956 following the reorganisation of states.
Ratlam has historically been a trading town for grains, oilseeds, and textiles. It is well known for the manufacture of gold and silver jewellery and for its sev, a savoury snack popularly marketed as Ratlami sev, which has been recognised as a traditional product of the region. Industries in and around the city include chemicals, copper wire manufacturing, edible oil processing, and pharmaceuticals. A Special Economic Zone has been developed in the district to attract investment.
Ratlam Junction is one of the most important railway stations on the Western Railway and the headquarters of the Ratlam Railway Division, which oversees a section of the Mumbai–Delhi trunk route as well as lines towards Indore, Khandwa, Chittaurgarh, and Ujjain. The city is connected by National Highway 927A and other state highways. The nearest major airport is at Indore (Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport), about 130 km to the east.
Civic services in the city are managed by the Ratlam Municipal Corporation. Ratlam is part of the Ratlam Lok Sabha constituency and contains the Ratlam City and Ratlam Rural Vidhan Sabha constituencies of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Educational institutions in the city include government and private degree colleges affiliated to Vikram University, Ujjain, along with engineering and polytechnic colleges, a government medical college, and numerous schools affiliated to the CBSE and the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education.
The city celebrates the major Hindu festivals of the region, including Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi. Local cuisine reflects Malwa traditions, with Ratlami sev, poha, and jalebi being especially popular. Notable temples and historical sites include the Kedareshwar temple, the Mahalaxmi temple, and the old palace of the former rulers of Ratlam state.