Aurangabad, Maharashtra
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- For other uses, see Aurangabad.
History
There was a village named Kirki (Khadki) where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar. Malik Ambar was the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). It is widely believed that city took shape between 1604 and 1610 under Malik Ambar's rule. Initially, it was named Fatehpura (city of Victory), probably after Malik's son Fateh Khan. A mint was built in the city. In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki, and named as Governor of Deccan. In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics.In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become Mughal Emperor. He used the city as base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates. He lived there until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken after his death. Aurangzeb's tomb is situated at Khultabad, a small town near the city.
Geography
The location co-ordinates for Aurangabad are N 19° 51' 47" - E 75° 23' 54"The highest maximum temperature ever recorded at Aurangabad was 46°C (114°F) on 25 May 1905. The lowest minimum temperature was 2°C (36°F) on 2 February, 1911. [link]
Temperatures in Aurangabad range from 9 to 40°C. The best time to visit Aurangabad is in the winter - October to February.
Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season (June to September). Rainfall in Aurangabad varies from 9.0 to 693 mm/month. Average annual rainfall is 725 mm.
Industry
There are ample evidences to believe that four centuries ago Aurangabad was developed as a trading hub. It lies on a major trade route that used to connect north-west India's sea and land ports to Deccan region.Historically, it has been a major silk and cotton textile production center. A fine blend of silk with locally grown cotton was developed as Himroo textile. Much of the silk industry has eroded with times. Yet a few industrial units, like Aurangabad Silk Mills, have been successful in keeping that tradition alive. Paithani silk saris are made in small industries nearby and available in the city market. The name of this cloth is derived from Paithan town.
Apart from tourism (see below for tourist attractions), Aurangabad is the most important manufacturing center in Marathwada. Pharmaceuticals, steel recycling, auto parts manufacturing, and beverages production (soft drinks and beer in particular) are major industries.
The Shendra and Waluj MIDC Industrial Area are two prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city. Notable manufacturing plants in and around the city are:
- Bajaj Auto Ltd. - automaker
- Škoda India - automaker,
- Siemens Ltd - engineering,
- Videocon - consumer electronics and durables
- Nirlep- kitchen appliances
- Wockhardt Ltd - pharmaceuticals
- Lupin Laboratories - pharmaceuticals
- Greaves Cotton Ltd.- light diesel engine manufacturer
- Garware Polysters- manufacturer of chemicals
- Aurangabad Silk Mills - Himroo shawls, bed covers, sarees and dress material manufacturer
- Kewill Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. - Software industry (flagship: Shipping Solutions) (Ranjeet Deshmukh)
- Goodyear Tyres India Ltd. - auto component industry
Education
University
Aurangabad is the seat of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. It caters to government aided and recognised colleges of four districts.Higher education
Notable colleges in the city by random order, are -- Deogiri College
- Govt. Medical College,
- Govt. Engineering College,
- Saraswati Bhuwan Colleges,
- Marathwada Institute of Technology (MIT),
- Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MHIT),
- Jawaharlal Nehru Engineering College,
- PES College of Engineering and Medicine,
- Maulana Azad College of Arts, Science & Commerce,
- Kamla Nehru College of Pharmacy.
School education
Notable schools in the city, by random order, are -
- Maharashtra public school
- Sharda Mandir girl's high school
- St. Lawrence high school
- Nath Valley high school
- Podar International school
- Saint Francis De Sales high school
- Holy Cross high school
- Saraswati Bhuvan high school
- Little Flower high school
- Saint Meera
- SBOA school
- Oxford school
- Cambridge school
- Kendriya Vidyalaya
Transport
Aurangabad has a privately operated intra-city bus service, AMT, owned by Aurangabad Muncipal Corporation.
Chikalthana airport is the domestic airport of Aurangabad. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Pune. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan have regular flights from Mumbai to Aurangabad.
The city has direct rail links to New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad.
Courts
Aurangabad is a bench of the Bombay High Court. It has several other lower courts.Tourist attractions
- Ajanta Caves
- Ellora Caves
- Grishneshwar Temple (a Jyotirlinga)
- Daulatabad Fort
- The Bibi Ka Maqbara
- Aurangabad Caves (Buddhist)
- Panchakki, or The Water Mill complex (built by Aurangzeb as an orphanage, and still working today)
- Lake at Dilli Gate
- The Valley of The Saints, where 1500 Sufi saints are reported to have been buried.
- Khultabad is the resting place of Aurangzeb.
- Gates (Darwajas) - During Mughal times, Aurangabad had 4 main and 9 subordinate gates (darwajas) along its periphery, famous among them being the Paithan Gate and Roshan Gate.
- Gautala bird sanctuary
- Mhaismal hills
- Lonar - a natural lake formed by meteorite impact (Near Mehekar)- 150 km from Aurangabad
- Shirdi - Holy shrine of Sai Baba, a 19th century saint - 144 km (Nearest railway station Nagarsol)
- Sant Dnyaneshwar garden, Paithan
- Jayakwadi dam bird sanctuary: home for migratory birds from Siberia
- Gautala park : you can make a joyful safari here
- Ajanta Visitor Center Under construction, Located at T Junction Fardapur: Designed as a tribute to the Ajanta Caves, AVC would consist of four cave replicas (1,2,16 1nd 17). Static, electronic and interactive museums would orient, guide and create a virtually real experience for the visitors to understand the original paintings and stories. Ambience of the Center (almost hidden in the rocky terrain) would simulate a sense of discovery to the visitors, especially children.
Personalities
Dr. Rafiq Zakaria: Political leader, scholar of Islam and Indian Muslims, author, parliamentarian and educationist. He received a PhD from the University of London. He was instrumental in developing a new urban area near the city in 1980s that now resides a quarter of the city's population. His idea and persuasion helped developing water supply plan for the city. He founded a cluster of educational institutes in the city.Govindbhai Shroff: Socialist, social activist, fought for freedom of the Marathwada region from imperial rule of Nizam of Hyderabad. Later headed one of the major educational institutions in Aurangabad. Awarded Padma Vibhushan, the second- highest civilian honour by Indian Government.
Dr.Lakshman Deshpande: stage personality. His contribution to the Marathi theatre is one act play Varhad Nighalay Londonla
Ranjeet Deshmukh: Director of Kewill India. Initiated and supported software development outsourcing in the city
External links
| Cities in Maharashtra with population of more than 1 million |
| Mumbai | Pune | Nagpur | Nasik |
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