Aurangabad history

The history of Aurangabad, one of the significant cities in the state of Maharashtra, India, is closely intertwined with the late medieval era and the rise of the Mughal Empire. The city, known today as the tourist gateway to the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora, has journeyed from being a small village to the capital of a powerful ruler.

The city was founded in 1610 on the site of the village of Khadki by the initiative of Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, who made it his capital under the name Fatehnagar. Aurangabad received its current name, meaning "Built by the Throne," later on. A turning point in its history was the year 1653, when the Mughal Prince Aurangzeb, the future emperor, made the city his capital and the main base for military campaigns in the Deccan region.

Several factors contributed to the rapid growth of the city. Firstly, the status of capital and residence, initially of the viceroy and later of Emperor Aurangzeb himself, attracted resources and influence to the city. Secondly, the city served as an important military outpost for controlling the Deccan Plateau. Finally, its strategic location in the center of the region made Aurangabad a convenient administrative and logistical hub.

During the reign of Aurangzeb, the city became not only a political but also a cultural center. It was here that, by his order, the mausoleum of Bibi Ka Maqbara was erected (construction took place between 1651 and 1661) for his wife; it is often referred to as the "Taj of the Deccan" due to its resemblance to the great mausoleum in Agra. The city also earned the nickname "City of Gates" thanks to its numerous monumental gates, some of which have survived to this day. The development of the city as an administrative center fostered the growth of trade and crafts, particularly the production of cotton and silk fabrics.

Key Dates in the History of Aurangabad

The history of Aurangabad spans several key eras, from its foundation in the 17th century to becoming an important center in the modern state of Maharashtra.

• 1610 — Malik Ambar, Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, founds the city on the site of Khadki village and names it Fatehnagar.
• 1626 — Malik Ambar's son, Fateh Khan, upon inheriting power, renames the city in his own honor — Fatehpur.
• 1633 — The city comes under the control of the Mughal Empire following the conquest of the Sultanate.
• 1653 — Prince Aurangzeb, serving as the Viceroy of the Deccan, makes the city his capital and renames it Aurangabad.
• 1660 — Construction is completed on the Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum, erected by order of Aurangzeb in memory of his wife, Dilras Banu Begum.
• 1681 — Aurangzeb, now Emperor, moves his court from Delhi to Aurangabad to lead military campaigns in the Deccan.
• 1707 — Following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb, Mughal influence in the region weakens.
• 1724 — Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah I declares his independence from the Mughals and establishes the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Hyderabad, making Aurangabad his first capital.
• 1763 — The capital of the Nizam state is moved from Aurangabad to Hyderabad.
• 1948 — After India gains independence, the princely state of Hyderabad becomes part of the Indian Union.
• 1960 — As a result of the reorganization of states, Aurangabad and the Marathwada region become part of the newly formed state of Maharashtra.

Stages of Aurangabad's Development

The development of Aurangabad is a story of transformation from a small village into a strategically important city, and subsequently into a modern industrial and tourist center. Key transformations reflect changes in rulers, economic priorities, and cultural influences.

• Foundation and Early Urban Planning (Early 17th Century): The city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar on the site of Khadki village. He laid the foundations of urban infrastructure, including the unique "Nehar" water supply system, which delivered water from nearby mountains via clay and stone channels. This step turned the arid area into a livable capital.
• Mughal Capital in the Deccan (1653–1707): When Aurangzeb made the city his capital, its "Golden Age" began. During this period, iconic structures were erected, including the Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum and numerous city gates, earning Aurangabad the nickname "City of Gates." Its status as an imperial center attracted nobility, merchants, and artisans to the city, fostering economic and cultural growth.
• Center of Crafts and Trade (17th–18th Centuries): In the era of the Great Mughals, Aurangabad became a major center for the production of silk and cotton fabrics. It was here that the art of creating Himroo fabric — a unique blend of silk and cotton — originated, and where Paithani silk sarees gained fame. These crafts defined the city's economic specialization for many years.
• Capital of the Hyderabad State (1724–1763): Following the weakening of the Mughal Empire, the city became the first capital of a new independent state governed by the Nizam dynasty. This allowed Aurangabad to retain its political and cultural significance for several more decades before the capital was moved to Hyderabad.
• Industrialization (From the second half of the 20th Century): After becoming part of the state of Maharashtra in 1960, a new stage of development began. The state government initiated the creation of industrial zones (MIDC), which attracted major national and international companies. The city transformed into an important center for automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
• Educational and IT Hub (Late 20th – Early 21st Century): The establishment of major educational institutions, particularly the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, turned Aurangabad into an important educational hub for the region. Proximity to IT giants like Pune and Hyderabad contributes to the development of the information technology sector here as well.
• Major Tourism Hub (Modern Day): Thanks to its proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora — Aurangabad has established itself as the key tourist gateway to the Marathwada region. The development of tourism infrastructure has become one of the main vectors of the city's modern economy.

The architectural appearance of Aurangabad was formed primarily during the era of the Great Mughals, making it a vivid example of 17th-century Indo-Islamic urban planning. Unlike many other Indian cities, there are virtually no buildings in European styles here, such as Gothic or Renaissance, as the main period of construction occurred during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb.

The Mughal Era (17th–18th Centuries)

The urban development of the city began with the practical solutions of Malik Ambar, who created the complex "Nehar" water supply system, but it was under Aurangzeb that the city acquired its monumental appearance. The architecture of this period is characterized by key elements of the Mughal style: symmetry, onion domes, tall minarets, arched entrances, and the extensive use of white marble and sandstone. Two types of structures defined the city's look:

• Bibi Ka Maqbara Mausoleum: This is the most iconic building in Aurangabad, built between 1651 and 1661 modeled after the Taj Mahal. Often referred to as the "Taj of the Deccan," it demonstrates all the characteristic features of a Mughal tomb: a central building with a large dome, four minarets at the corners, set within a classic Charbagh garden with fountains and water channels. Although less marble and more sandstone were used in its finishing, making it more modest, the mausoleum remains an outstanding example of late Mughal architecture.
• "City of Gates": Aurangabad received this nickname thanks to 52 monumental gates that were part of the defensive walls. The gates surviving to this day, such as Bhadkal and Mecca (Makai) Gate, are massive arched structures with battlemented walls that served not only as fortifications but also as grand entrances to the city. Their style is typical of Mughal military architecture.

Late Period and Modernity

After the transfer of the Nizam's capital to Hyderabad in 1763, monumental construction in Aurangabad practically ceased. The colonial period did not leave significant architectural monuments in the city, unlike Bombay or Calcutta. The modern architecture of Aurangabad is primarily functional in nature. The growth of the city as an industrial and educational center has led to the emergence of modern residential areas, university campuses, and industrial buildings, which do not form a single architectural style but meet the practical needs of a developing metropolis.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Aurangabad

The history of Aurangabad is rich with events and names that have left a noticeable mark on the culture and politics of the region. Here are a few key figures whose destinies are inextricably linked with this city.

• Malik Ambar (approx. 1548–1626) — The de facto founder of the city. A former Abyssinian slave, he rose to the rank of Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate and distinguished himself as an outstanding military commander and administrator. In 1610, he founded a city on the site of Khadki village, which he named Fatehnagar, later becoming Aurangabad. Malik Ambar is also known for creating the city's unique water supply system.
• Emperor Aurangzeb (1618–1707) — The Padishah (Emperor) of the Mughal Empire, in whose honor the city received its current name. In 1653, while serving as Viceroy of the Deccan, he made the city his capital and renamed it. During his reign, many iconic structures were built, including the Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum. Aurangzeb spent a significant part of his life here leading military campaigns and was buried nearby in Khuldabad.
• Dilras Banu Begum (died 1657) — The first and chief wife of Emperor Aurangzeb. It was in her memory that the famous Bibi Ka Maqbara mausoleum, Aurangabad's main architectural landmark, was erected by order of the Emperor. The tomb became a symbol of the city and is often referred to as the "Taj of the Deccan."
• Asaf Jah I (1671–1748) — The founder of the Nizam dynasty of Hyderabad. After the weakening of the Mughal Empire, he proclaimed independence and in 1724 made Aurangabad the first capital of his new state. Although the capital was later moved to Hyderabad, his rule marked an important stage in the city's history as a center of power in the Deccan.
• Wali Aurangabadi (1667–1707) — A classic poet of the Urdu language. He is considered one of the first poets to start using the local variant of Urdu (called "Dakhini") to create high poetry, which was previously written predominantly in Persian. His work had a tremendous influence on the development of Urdu literature, and his connection to the city is forever cemented in his pseudonym.
• Tariq Anwar (born 1951) — A world-renowned film editor born in India with ties to the region. He worked on such famous films as "American Beauty" and "The King's Speech," for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. His career is an example of how natives of the region achieve global recognition in modern arts.