Aurangabad- Built by the Throne

Aurangabad means “Built by the Throne” is named after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara. The city is also one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

Aurangabad has been declared as Tourism Capital of Maharashtra. The Mauryans ushered Buddhism in this region of India, which is evident from the profusion of numerous Buddhist cave temples in and around Aurangabad. Temples built by Satvahanna and Rashtrakuta rulers are located here. The famous caves of Ajanta are a part of this Buddhist tradition. The heritage of Aurangabad is linked with different Muslim rulers and dynasties of India.

History:

1610- Aurangabad was founded, on the site of a village named Khirki, by a local Muslim noble Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar.

1626- Fateh Khan ruled Aurangabad and named the city as Fatehpur.

1633- With the capture of Daulatabad previously known as Devagiri by the imperial troops, the Nizam Shahi dominions, including Fatehnagar, came under the possession of the Moghals.

1653- Prince Aurangzeb was appointed the viceroy of the Deccan for the second time, he made Fatehnagar his capital and renamed it Aurangabad. Aurangabad is sometimes referred to as Khujista Bunyad by the Chroniclers of Aurangzeb's reign.

1660- Bibi Ka Maqbara was built by Aurangzeb’s son, Azam Shah, as a loving tribute to his mother, Dilras Bano Begam.

1720- Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah, a distinguished General of Aurangzeb with the intention of founding his own dynasty in the Deccan, arrived at Aurangabad and made it his capital.

1723- Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah paid a visit to Delhi, but returned in 1724.

1763- Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II transferred his capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad.

Aurangabad was a part of Nizam’s princely Hyderabad State until its annexation into Indian Union and thereafter a part of Hyderabad state of India until 1956. In 1956 it became a part of newly formed bilingual Bombay state and in 1960 it became a part of Maharashtra state.

The climate of Aurangabad is Temperate Climate with low relative humidity and diverse but not extreme weather conditions.

Summer is observed from March to May. Nights are usually pleasant and cooler during the entire summer. Winter is seen from November to February which is the most comfortable time to visit Aurangabad. Monsoon which ranges from June to October receives moderate rainfall.

Places to Visit:

• Aurangabad Caves
• Bibi Ka Maqbara
• Himroo Factory
• Panchakki
• Khuldabad
• Paithan
• Pan Chakki
• Ghrishneshwar Temple
• Bani Begum Gardens
• Daulatabad
• Pithalkora

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget bus tickets online. For online bus tickets booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.