Aurangabad Tourism, Maharashtra India

Devgiri Fort Jayak Wadi Dam The Dargah of Pir Ismail Ellora Caves History Museum Panchakki Bani Begam Bagh Gul Mandi Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple Aurangabad Caves Hanuman Temple Chauki-ki-Masjid Shopping in Aurangabad Darwazas (Gates) Soneri Mahal Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir Jnaneshwar Udyan Mughal Palace Pitalkhora

Aurangabad, an important seat of the Mughal Empire, showcases numerous Mughal architectural marvels. It is among the important historical destination in the state of Maharashtra. Located on the banks of the Kham River, the city offers numeroous medieval monuments and cultural heritage. The proximity to Ajanta and Ellora, the famous world heritage sites, is another reason why the city attracts a good number of tourists every year. Though calm and quiet, Aurangabad is an industrialised, competitive city with its own standing in the tourist and industrial map of India.

 

The district has a long and undeterred history since the Jatava-period to the present day.  During the early phase of ancient period  it was governed by number of tribes. This tribal units were united during the prolonged rule of the Satevahana or Shalivahana (230 B.C.  to 230 A.D.) . The sober history of this region  begins with “ Satavahanas”. Their rule witnessed the era of peace and prosperity and hence the district of Aurangabad then centered around Pratishthan the capital of the Satvahanas for centuries together, became the hub of socio-cultural activities of the Deccan.  The Satvahanas gave incentive to trade and commerce and monopolised the Greeco-Roman markets as far textile goods namely Paithani the high-class silken sarees of Paithan is concerned.  Besides to textile they established hegemony in the trade of spice ‘ curirs’-ivory etc.  Out of which they accrued huge profits which is evident through the material remains of their period   Day scattered all over  Western India including Maharashtra as they were the  lords of the  territory between Narmada to  Cavery.

In the intervening years the region began to flourish as it was situated on the earvan routes introduced by the Satvahanas long-back . The capital Prastishan was linked with the above routes, along with ports and harbors on one hand and  Land-emporeas like Sarsvati, Patliputra, Avanti, Takshashila etc.  on the other.  During the early centuries of the  Christian ere the regions of the commercial were in the hands  of Buddhist community hence large number  of Buddhist caves were excavated along these trade routes i.e. ancient “ Sarthavaha” Path- Later on Jain and Brahmanical caves were also excavated on par with Buddhist caves- Ellora  is the best  example of the caves of all the above mentioned faiths.

Caves not only provide residence to the roaming ascetics during  the rainy season ( Varsha – Vasa)  but also promote the cause of their faith.  They also attract experts in the field of trade-commerce-agriculture medicine etc.  They also served as a education centers devoted to the cause of cultural synthesis and  integrity of the stage.  Mainly the caves are of two types” Chaityas” i.e. prayer halls and viharas i.e. residential  units. They were functioning till the end of 13th Century A.D.

Yadava rule witnessed the second era of prospering as far as this District is concerned.  Devgiri was their capital where they erected huge fort which is also one of the tourist destiny of the younger generation.  However, their fall was unexpected and  untimely. The invasion of Allauddin Khilaji changed the fact of the Deccan.  Immediately this district was exposed to the  successive muslim rule. Prominent among them were the Tughluqs,  The Nizams  of Ahmednagar, the Mughals and the Nizams of Hyderabad.  Mohammad Tughluq tried to shift his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad- For that he tried to raise the infrastructure of Daulatabad- However, under some geographical  constrend he changed his mind and fate of Daulatabad was sealed forever.

Malik-Ambar also tried to defend Khadki i.e. the old hamlet of Aurangabad against the mighty Mughal rule but his enterprise proved unsuccessful.   In the last phase  of 18th Century Aurangzeb tried to develop this city on the lines of Delhi. During his tenure of first Subhedari the nomenclature of the city was changed to Aurangabad. (1636). During his last stay as a emperor he perfected the defence apparatus in and around the city.  After his demise Chinkilizakhan, the Nizam became the next ruler of this territory.  He made this city his first capital . However, he migrated from Aurangabad to Hyderabad after few decades.

From the above narration it  is clear that since the  earliest times this district played a vital role in shaping the history and culture of the region. It was the centre of intense socio-political activities, the   Set of learning. , the seat of religious movements.  During  its long and undeterred course of history it has contributed in the filed of art, architecture, sculpture, paintings, dress and ornaments, food dishes and language etc.  Centers like Paithan, Devgiri, Aurangabad, Ajanta, Ellora attracted large number of saints,  poets, men and literature and artisans from all over the country.  Hence, it remained a meeting place of  different  life-styles including faiths. Therefore the district holds the visitors spellbound with its ancient and medieval charms.

Aurangabad is emerging as one of the fastest developing city with many companies approaching the cityp to setup its unit. There are companies that manufacture auto parts and components for the automotive sector, Pharmaceuticals, breweries, consumer durables, agriculture and biotech products, plastic processing, aluminium processing etc.

Hospitality sector in Aurangabad is also picking up. Major luxury hotels that exists here are, The Ajanta Ambassador, ITC Welcome Group's The Rama International, The Taj Residency, The Lemon Tree (formerly The President Park), Hotel Vitz and Aurangabad Gymkhana.