( (औरंगाबाद) from
Persian اورنگآباد meaning "Built by the Throne", named after Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb ) is a city in
Maharashtra , India. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments including
Ajanta and
Ellora World heritage sites. This district center is the administrative headquarter of
Aurangabad Division , or
Marathwada region.
There was a village named (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.
In 1634,
Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki 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 . He used the city as a base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining
Deccan Sultanates until his death in 1707 AD. The modern name of the city was probably taken during his period. Aurangzeb's tomb is situated at
Khultabad , a small town near the city.
The location co-ordinates for Aurangabad are N 19° 53' 47" - E 75° 23' 54". It is located 512 meters above sea level. The city is surrounded by hills on all sides
Annual temperature in Aurangabad range from 9 to 40°C. The best time to visit Aurangabad is in the winter - October to February. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded at Aurangabad was 46°C (114°F) on
25 May 1905 . The lowest record temperature was 2°C (36°F) on
2 February ,
1911 .
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Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoons season (June to September). Rainfall in Aurangabad varies from 9.0 to 693 mm/month. Average annual rainfall is 725 mm.
There is ample evidence to believe that Aurangabad was developed as a trading hub four centuries ago. It lies on a major trade route that used to connect north-west India's sea and land ports to the Deccan region.
The city was 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 , have been successful in keeping that tradition alive.
silk
Sari s are made in small industries nearby and available in the city market. The name of this cloth is derived from
Paithan town.
Aurangabad is the third most important manufacturing center in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune.
Pharmaceuticals , steel recycling, auto parts manufacturing, and beverages production (soft drinks and beer in particular) are major industries.
The Shendra, Chikalthana and Waluj MIDC Industrial Areas are prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city. Major multinational groups that have set up manufacturing or processing plants in and around the city include :
- Bajaj Auto Ltd. - automaker
- Wipro- Electronics
- Škoda India - automaker,
- Siemens Ltd - engineering,
- Videocon - consumer electronics and durables
- Cosmo Films Limited - BOPP Films
- Wockhardt Ltd - pharmaceuticals
- Pepsi - beverages
- United Spirits Ltd - Liquor
- Fosters India-Liquor
- Good Year-Tyre
- NRB Bearing - Automobile
- Johnson & Johnson-Health Care
- Sterlite-Optic Fibre
- Colgate & Pamolive
