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History |
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Historical Background |
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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.
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BIBI-KA-MAQBARA: |
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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.
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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. |
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Archaeological Importance
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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.
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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.
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B) GATES: |
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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. |
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C) PLACES OF IMPORTANCE: |
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i) Naukhanda Palace near Jubilee Park. |
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ii) Kile Ark near Subhedari Rest House. |
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iii) Bara-Dari previously Collectors’s Office. |
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iv) Damdi Mahal near Gulshan Mahal. |
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D) MASJIDS: |
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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. |
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E) SONERI MAHAL (GOLDEN PALACE): |
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