The city was founded in 1610 A.D. by Malik Amber, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar on the site of the village called Khirki. He made it his Capital and the men of his army raised their dwellings around it. Within a decade Khirki grew in a populous and imposing city. However, It was ravaged and burnt down in 1621 by the imperial troops under Shah Jahan. Fateh Khan son of Malik Amber changed the name of Khirki to Fatehnagar.

In 1633, when Prince Aurangzeb was appointed the Viceroy of the Deccan for the second time, he made Fatehnagar his Capital and called it Aurangabad.

History of this dates back to the second century B.C., which indicates that it was located on ancient trade route from Ujjaini (North) to Pratishthana (Paithan), Capital of Satawahana, and the Tagare (Modernter) in South. The district of Aurangabad had attained high level of prosperity during these days. It containded Pratishthana, Capital of Satwahanas as the centre of trade. In addition to North–South trade links it had also trade links with Nasik, Kalyan, Shupara and Baruchha in West.

BIBI-KA-MAQBARA:

It is situated at a short distance from Begumpura. It was erected between 1650 and 1657 and was intended to rival the Taj Mahal at Agra.

Location

Aurangabad, the Head Quarters of the District and also the Marathwada Division, is situated on the Kham River in the latitude 190-53’59” North and longitude 750-20'' East. The city stands in Dundhna Valley between the Lakenvara range on the north and the satara hills on the south.

It has moderate rains and the climate is dry through out the year.

Aurangabad is linked with Mumbai, the Capital of Maharashtra by air, rail and road, with Delhi by air and rail. It takes only half an hour by air from Mumbai and the daily flights are two. Excellent road network connects Aurangabad with rest of the States.

Archaeological Importance

While the city has its own attractions and charms, the tourists value is mainly as centre from where the World-Famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves can easily be approached. It is these Caves, which has put Aurangabad on the tourist map of the World.

A) CITY WALLS:

Aurangazeb caused a wall to be built around the city in 1682, to save from the sporadic attacks of Marathas. Begumupura was also fortified in 1696. The city wall is terraced and is of solid masonry. It is of no great height, at places not more than 14 ft. The total length of the wall is little over 6 miles. The wall has not been able to survive and lies practically in ruins.

B) GATES:

There were 52 gates of which 4 principal gates faced the cardinal points and consisted of Delhi Gate on the north, the Jalna Gate on the east, the Paithan Gate on the south and the Mecca Eate on the west. Most of these gates are now in dilapidated condition.

C) PLACES OF IMPORTANCE:

i) Naukhanda Palace near Jubilee Park.

ii) Kile Ark near Subhedari Rest House.

iii) Bara-Dari previously Collectors’s Office.

iv) Damdi Mahal near Gulshan Mahal.

D) MASJIDS:

Among the Mosques, the Jame Masjid and Kali Masjid built by Malik Amber and the Shahganj Mosques are the most conspicuous. The Jame Masjid has 50 polygonal pillars arranged in 5 rows, and connected by system of arches, which divides the building into 27 equal compartments, each covered by the domical vault of simple but elegant design. There are 9 pointed arches in front Mosque.

E) SONERI MAHAL (GOLDEN PALACE):

Bundelkhand chief who accompanied Aurangzeb into the Deccan erected the Soneri Mahal in the University Campus. It is now in the ruinous condition. It is said to have derived its name from the painting of gold, which at one time decorated it.

F) AURANGABAD CAVES:

These cave temples makes a worthy prelude to ‘far more’ celebrated Ellora & Ajanta. There are three groups of caves in the precipitous scrap of the hills to the North of the city scattered over a distance of mile and half.

Administration

The Municipal Council was established in 1936, the Municipal Council area was about 54.5 Sq.kms. It was elevated to the status of Municipal Corporation from 8th December 1982 and simultaneously including eighteen peripheral villages making total area under its jurisdiction to 138.5 Sq. kms. extended its limits.

The city is divided in 99 electoral wards and each ward is represented by a Corporator elected by the people from each ward. There are two Committees, General Body and Standing Committee headed by the Mayor and the Chairman respectively.

The administration is headed by the Municipal Commissioner; an I.A.S. Officer, assisted by the other officers of different departments.

Population

As per 1931 Census, the population of the city was 29,000 souls, which was 8,72,667 as per the 2001 Census.

Tourist Attraction

The World-Famous Ajanta & Ellora Caves and Daulatbad Fort are in Aurangabad District and Aurangabad is starting point for these places. Thus large number of foreign and Indian Tourists visit Aurangabad every year.

In addition, Aurangabad Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki located in the city are also important attractions for the tourists. Recently development of light & music fountain garden at paithan, 50 kms far from the city has also become another major tourist attraction.

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