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Aurangabad

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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, officially known as Aurangabad, is a major urban center in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

CIDCO Aerial- Canought Place
CIDCO Aerial- Canought Place

It serves as the administrative headquarters for the Aurangabad district. The city is the largest urban area in the Marathwada region. It currently ranks as the fifth-most populous city in Maharashtra. According to the 2011 Census, the population was 1,175,116 people. The city is located on hilly upland terrain within the Deccan Traps. This landscape is surrounded by the Ajanta mountain range in all directions.

The geology of the region is defined by ancient basaltic lava flows. These flows date from the Upper Cretaceous to the Lower Eocene ages. The lava forms horizontal layers that make up the Deccan Traps. Each flow consists of two distinct units. The upper layer is vesicular and amygdaloidal zeolitic basalt. The bottom layer is composed of massive basalt. These layers differ in their porosity and permeability. Porosity refers to how much liquid a material can hold. Permeability is how easily liquid can move through it. These properties control how the ground stores and transmits groundwater. The soil is mostly black and formed from these igneous rocks.

The climate is classified as semiarid under the Köppen system. Annual mean temperatures range from 17 to 33 degrees Celsius. Most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season from June to September. The average annual rainfall is 710 mm. During the monsoon, the city is often cloudy for many days. This cloud cover can drop daily maximum temperatures to around 22 degrees Celsius. The most comfortable time for visitors is during the winter months. This period lasts from October to February. In the cold season, western disturbances can cause cold waves. These waves can drop minimum temperatures significantly.

The history of the area includes several powerful dynasties. The Satavahana dynasty ruled from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Later, the Yadava dynasty ruled from the 9th to the 14th century CE. In 1327, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq moved the capital of the Delhi Sultanate to Daulatabad. He ordered the mass relocation of the population from Delhi. However, he reversed this decision in 1334 and moved the capital back. In 1610, the Ethiopian military leader Malik Ambar established a new city called Khaḍkī.

Painting of the profile of Malik Ambar of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the founder of Khadki (later Aurangabad)
Painting of the profile of Malik Ambar of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the founder of Khadki (later Aurangabad)

Malik Ambar was a slave who became a popular prime minister. His son, Fateh Khan, later renamed the city Fatehnagar.

The city underwent major changes under Mughal rule. In 1636, the Mughal viceroy Aurangzeb annexed the region. In 1653, Aurangzeb renamed the city Aurangabad and made it the capital of the Deccan.

Bhadkal Gate
Bhadkal Gate

The city became a major military outpost and a center of trade. It was also a cultural hub for Persian and Urdu literature. During this era, the city had about 200,000 people living in 54 suburbs. To protect against Maratha raids, a city wall was built around 1683. This wall originally had 52 gates, earning the city its nickname, the "City of Gates." Some of these, like the Delhi Gate, still exist.

Today, the city is a significant center for tourism and industry. It is famous for the Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

BIBI KA MAQBARA (TOMB OF THE LADY) 2
BIBI KA MAQBARA (TOMB OF THE LADY) 2

Other landmarks include the Devagiri Fort, Grishneshwar Temple, and Bibi Ka Maqbara.

Zaibunissa palace
Zaibunissa palace

The city is also a major production center for cotton textiles and artistic silk. In 2019, the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) became India's first greenfield industrial smart city. This was part of the national Smart Cities Mission. The city also hosts important educational institutions like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

BAMU gate
BAMU gate

The modern population is diverse in religion and language. Most residents are Hindu, followed by Muslim, Buddhist, and Jain populations.

Kachner Parshwanath Idol
Kachner Parshwanath Idol

Marathi is the official and most common language. Urdu and Hindi are also widely spoken. The city is managed by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. This local body is divided into six administrative zones. The city's administration has evolved through many political shifts. It moved from Hyderabad State to Bombay State, and finally to Maharashtra in 1960. In 2023, the city was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Zaibunissa palace.jpg
Zaibunissa palace.jpg
File:Painting of the profile of Malik Ambar of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the founder of Khadki (later Aurangabad).jpg
Painting of the profile of Malik Ambar of...
File:Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk.jpg
Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk.jpg
File:CIDCO Aerial- Canought Place.jpg
CIDCO Aerial- Canought Place.jpg
File:Kachner Parshwanath Idol.jpg
Kachner Parshwanath Idol.jpg
File:Bhadkal Gate.JPG
Bhadkal Gate.JPG
File:BIBI KA MAQBARA (TOMB OF THE LADY) 2.jpg
BIBI KA MAQBARA (TOMB OF THE LADY) 2.jpg
File:Naan Qalia.jpg
Naan Qalia.jpg
File:BAMU gate.jpg
BAMU gate.jpg
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