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Aurangabad

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Aurangabad
Aurangabad
औरंगाबाद
city
Map
Government
 • MayorVijaya Rahatkar
Population
 (2006)
 • Total
1,414,918

Aurangabad (pronunciationⓘ (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 the Ajanta and Ellora World heritage sites, and is the administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division, or Marathwada region. Aurangabad is said to be a 'City of Gates' as one can not miss the strong presence of these as one drives through the city.

History

Bibi Ka Maqbara

There was a village named Khadki where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, 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 Ambar's rule. Initially, it was named Fatehpura (city of Victory), probably after Ambar's son Fateh Khan.

In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Khadki as Governor of the 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 the Mughal Emperor. He used the city as a base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates until his death in 1707. 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 which is also known as Saints valley.

Important places in and around Aurangabad include Bibi Ka Maqbara (a replica of the Taj Mahal), the Ellora, Aurangabad and Ajanta caves, the Ghrishneshwar Shiva temple and the Daulatabad fort.

Geography

Aurangabad
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: MSN Weather
Imperial conversion
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84
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82
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

The location co-ordinates for Aurangabad are N 19° 53' 47" - E 75° 23' 54". The city is surrounded by hills on all sides.

Temperature : Annual temperatures in Aurangabad range from 9 to 40 °C, with the most comfortable time to visit in the winter - October to February. The highest maximum temperature ever recorded was 46 °C (114 °F) on 25 May 1905. The lowest recorded temperature was 2 °C (36 °F) on 2 February, 1911. In the cold season the district is sometimes affected by cold waves in association with the eastward passage of western disturbances across north India, when the minimum temperature may drop down to about 2 °C to 4 °C (35.6 °F to 39.2 °F). [1]

Rainfall : Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season from June to September. Rainfall varies from 9.0 to 693 mm/month. Average annual rainfall is 725 mm.

Economy

There is 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.

Manufacturing

Himroo Shawl

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 vanished over time, but some manufacturers - such as the Aurangabad Silk Mills - have managed to keep the tradition alive. Paithani silk saris are also made in Aurangabad. The name of this cloth is derived from Paithan town.

Pharmaceuticals, steel recycling, auto parts manufacturing, and beverage 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, with various major multinational groups having set up manufacturing or processing plants in and around the city.

Banking And Financial Services

In the first decade of the 21st century, Aurangabad has seen a spurt in financial activities, with almost all public sector and private banks have opened up branches including the State Bank of India, State Bank of Hyderabad, Citibank, Deutsche Bank,ICICI Bank and the Bank of India.

Information Technology

Many IT companies have already been established, with more waiting to establish a presence, probably due to the city's large urban and cosmopolitan population and its proximity to Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad.


Administration and Politics

Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is the local civil body. It is divided into six zones.

Major Areas of Aurangabad City

Template:Col-6
  • Osmanpura
  • Jai Vishwabharti Colony
  • Jubilee Park
  • City Chowk
  • * Trishran Nagar(Nava-Bhaata)
  • Roshan Gate
  • Begum Pura
  • Town Hall
  • Rauza Baug
  • Himayat Baug
  • Kat Kat Gate
  • Paithan Gate
  • Kirad Pura
  • Baiji Pura
  • Buddi Lane and Juna Bazar
  • Khadkeshwar
  • CIDCO city Region
  • Jai Bhavani Nagar
  • Garkheda
  • Jawahar Colony
  • Chikhaltana
  • Samarthnagar
  • Jyotinagar
  • Aurangpura & Nirala Bazaar
  • Shah Ganj
  • Cheli Pura
  • Gulmandi
  • Mondha
  • Zaffer Gate
  • Saadat Nagar
  • Shah Bazar
  • Raja Bazar
  • Shah Noor Miyan Darghah
  • Shivaji Nagar
  • Satara Parisar
  • Bajaj Nagar & Waluj
  • Shendra MIDC
  • Pandharpur & Chitegaon MIDC
  • Kanchan Wadi
  • Mukund Wadi
  • Nakshatra Wadi
  • HUDCO
  • Harsul
  • Silk Mills
  • Nageshwar wadi
  • Nandanvan Colony
  • Bansilal Nagar
  • Shahnoorwadi ( Ramtara housing Society)

Aurangabad contributes one seat to the Lok Sabha. The seat is currently held by Mr. Chandrakant Khaire, MP of the Shiv Sena party. It also holds two seats for the Assembly - Aurangabad West (Indian National Congress) and Aurangabad East (National Congress Party).

Judiciary

Aurangabad has a bench of the Bombay High Court, as well as District and Sessions Courts. The District & Sessions Court building is being renovated. The new building will have more than 4 floors.

Education

Since India's independence, Aurangabad has been a major learning center of central Maharashtra. Aurangabad is the headquarters of the Government-funded Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. It caters to government aided and recognized colleges in the four adjoining districts. The city also houses other private universities and academic institutions, such as the Institute of Science, ICFAI College and Private Engineering Colleges.

Entertainment

Aurangabad has two cinema multiplexes in the new CIDCO region of the city, fourteen movie theaters, and three public auditoria.

Malls in Aurangabad

  • Prozone Mall,Chikalthana, Aurangabad
  • West Pioneer Mall,Jalna Road,Aurangabad
  • Hpper City,Chikalthana, Aurangabad
  • Shoppers Stop,Chikalthana, Aurangabad
  • Tapdiya Mall, Adalat Road, Aurangabad
  • PVR Gallery,Chikalthana, Aurangabad
  • Spencers Hyper,Chikalthana, Aurangabad
  • Vishal Mega Mart,Railway Station Road,Aurangabad
  • Big Bazaar, Jalna Road, Aurangabad
  • Fame-Tapdiya,Cidco,Aurangabad


Upcoming Malls

  • Marathawada enginnering Pvt Ltd Mall
  • Inox,Railway Station Road,Aurangabad
  • Siddhart plaza,Siddhart Garden,Aurangabad
  • AMC Mall,Jakat naka,Aurangabad
  • AMC Mall,Shahanurmiyadarga,Aurangabad
  • WAL MART WALUJ Aurangabad

source::Shopping Mall Guide of Aurangabad

Media and Communications

Newspapers: Apart from the city based Hindi national newspaper Lokmat, major Marathi newspapers published in Aurangabad include Sakaal, Punya Nagari, Saamna, Sanjwaarta,and Loksatta.

Radio: The city has four FM radio stations - All India Radio, Gyaanvani (dedicated to University learning and distance education) and Radio Mirchi 98.3fm, sfm 93.5,radio city 91.1 fm with the private satellite radio station WorldSpace also available.

Internet: Internet facilities are provided by several suppliers, with BSNLand Hathway[MCN] providing a broadband service.

Transport

Intra city Transport

"Aurangabad Municipal Transport" (AMT) is an intra-city bus service which covers almost all parts of the city and also connects to the more distant industrial suburbs.

The "Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation" (MSRTC) and numerous other private bus operators provide a bus service to all parts of the state.

Metered auto rickshaws ply throughout the city. The fare is based on a meter and is computed by a tariff card available from the driver.

Air

Chikalthana airport is Aurangabad's domestic airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Pune.

Rail

Aurangabad has a railway station on the South-Central railway (Manmad - Secunderabad section), with direct rail links to New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad.

The "Janashatabdi Express" is the fastest and most comfortable train option to and from Mumbai with a total traveling time of 6 1/2 hours. Three overnight trains and two daytime trains also travel between Mumbai and Aurangabad.

Tourist attractions

Monuments

Bibika maqbara
  • Ajanta stone engraved sculpture and paintings Caves. A world heritage monument.
  • Ajanta Visitor Center Under construction, it has been designed as a tribute to the Ajanta Caves. The center will consist of four cave replicas (1,2,16 1nd 17), with static, electronic and interactive museums to orient, guide and create a virtually real experience for the visitors to understand the original paintings and stories.
  • Ellora stone engraved sculptures. A world heritage monument.
  • Daulatabad fort
  • Bibi Ka Maqbara. A replica of the Taj Mahal.
  • Aurangabad Caves
  • Panchakki, or The Water Mill complex
  • Khultabad the resting place of Aurangzeb.
  • Gates (Darwajas) - During Mughal times, Aurangabad had 4 main and 9 subordinate gates (darwajas) along its periphery, the most famous and oldest and biggest of them being the Bhadkal Gate near the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams.

Parks

  • Salim Ali Lake at Delhi Gate named after Dr. Salim Ali
  • Mhaismal hills
  • Lonar - a natural lake formed by meteorite impact (Near Mehekar) - 150 km from Aurangabad
  • Sant Dnyaneshwar garden, Paithan
  • Jayakwadi dam bird sanctuary: home for migratory birds from Siberia
  • Gautala wildlife park and bird sanctury
  • Siddarth Garden

==Geographical Location==

References

  1. ^ Maharashtra government web site
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aurangabad.

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