Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Aurangabad, one of Maharashtra’s most historic and culturally rich cities:

 General Information

• Location: Central Maharashtra, part of the Marathwada region.
• Named After: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
• Previous Name: Originally known as Khadki before being renamed in 1653.
• Administrative Status: Recently included in the proposed Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
• Renamed To: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (proposed and used officially in some contexts).

 Historical & Cultural Significance

• Historic Capital: Served as the capital of the Mughal Empire in the Deccan region during Aurangzeb’s reign.
• Architectural Blend: Known for a mix of Mughal, Maratha, and Buddhist influences.
• Famous Monuments:
  • Bibi Ka Maqbara: Often called the "Taj of the Deccan", built by Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother.
  • Aurangabad Caves: Rock-cut Buddhist shrines from the 6th and 7th centuries.
  • Daulatabad Fort: A massive, well-defended fort built in the 12th century.

 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Nearby

1. Ajanta Caves:
   • 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE.
   • Famous for exquisite Buddhist cave paintings and sculptures.
2. Ellora Caves:
   • Contains Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments.
   • Home to the Kailasa Temple – the world’s largest monolithic rock-cut temple.

 Economy & Industry

• Major industries: Textile, Automobile, Pharmaceuticals, and Tourism.
• Himroo and Paithani weaving: Traditional silk textiles with royal patronage history.
• Important industrial estates: Shendra and Chikalthana MIDC.
• Hosts AURIC (Aurangabad Industrial City), a part of India’s smart city initiative.

 Local Food & Cuisine

• Blend of Mughlai and Hyderabadi flavors.
• Specialties:
  • Naan Qalia – a slow-cooked meat dish.
  • Tahari – a local spiced rice dish.
  • Sheermal, Pulao, and Aurangabadi Biryani.

 Transport & Connectivity

• Air: Aurangabad Airport (Chikhalthana) – connects to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, etc.
• Rail: Well-connected to major Indian cities.
• Road: Lies on NH 52, good connectivity to Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
• Upcoming Infrastructure: Part of the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) for trade and transit.

 Education & Institutions

• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) – major educational hub.
• Other reputed institutions:
  • Government College of Engineering
  • Deogiri College
  • MIT College of Engineering

 Tourist Attractions

• Panchakki: A medieval water mill powered by an underground water channel.
• Salim Ali Lake & Bird Sanctuary
• Soneri Mahal: A palace within the University campus, now a museum.
• Grishneshwar Temple: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, located near Ellora.

 Demographics & Language

• Population: Over 1.2 million.
• Languages spoken: Marathi (official), Urdu, Hindi, English.
• A mix of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Jain communities.

 Climate

• Type: Semi-arid.
• Summer: Hot (March–June).
• Monsoon: Moderate rainfall (June–September).
• Winter: Pleasant (October–February).