Although a misted industrial metropolis in the northern Maharashtra, the place is a major tourist attraction for plenty of architectural heritage. Scattered around the Satmala Hills, the dilapidated remains of fortifications, gateways, domes and minarets speaks about the royal heritage of the city.

The city, originally called Khadke was established by Malik Amber, an ex- Abyssinian slave and prime minister of the independent Muslim kingdom of the Nizam Shahis, based in Ahmadnagar. For few centuries Aurangabad was under the prominent shadow of Mughals and really rose to prominence during the reign of Aurangazeb towards the end of 17th century. Maratha was powerful warrior at that time as a result Auragazeb raised impressive city walls and gates in 1682 to withstand the persistent Maratha attacks. In the early 18th century the city was changed its morphology when Nizam of Hyderabad took over, somehow managed to force out Maratha for the greater part for 250 years, until the city finally merged with Maharashtra in 1956.

Today Aurangabad is one of India’s fastest growing commercial and industrial centers. A competitive city with plenty of restaurants, bars and interesting shops. Easy day trips from Aurangabad include the dramatic fort of Daulatabad, and just a little further along the Ellora road, the tomb of Emperor Aurangzeb at the Muslim village of Khuldabad.

Sights And Activities

The Bibi-ka-Maqbara
A flagrant imitation of Taj Mahal of Agra, Aurangabad’s much maligned Mughal tomb garden would probably attract more admiration. The mausoleum was completed in 1678, created by Prince Azam Shah dedicated to his mother Begum Rabi’s Daurani, Auranzeb’s wife. Striking similar with Taj Mahal fell far short because of resource. The abbreviated minarets and ungainly entrance arch make the mausoleum seems dwarf and ill proportioned. Inside the mausoleum, an exquisite octagonal lattice – screen of white marble surrounds the raised plinth supporting Rabia Daurani’s grave.

The Caves
The best known features of Aurangabad, carved out of a steep sided spur of the Sahyadri Range. Aurangabad’s own caves bear no comparison to near by Ajanta and Ellora but fine sculptures on the wall of the cave testify the first rock architecture of India. The caves are all Buddhist and consists of two groups, eastern and western, numbered 1 to 9 by Archaeological Survey Of India. the majorities were excavated in fourth and eigth centuries. Cave no-4 is a chaitya hall, are one of the vihara ( monastery) type, belonging to the Mahayana school of Buddhism.

Daulatabad
Also known as Deogiri is located 13 km northwest of Aurangabad. The main attraction is awesome hilltop citadel made up of sheer 60 meter wall of granite. Muslim occupation of Deogiri began in earnest with the arrival in 1327 of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. The fortress fell to a succession of different regimes, including Shah Jahan’s Mughals,before it was finally taken by the Marathas midway through the 18th century.

Shopping
Aurangabad is an ideal place for fabric freaks. The place is famous for Himroo weave fabrics, which is a unique heritage dates back to Tughlaq dynasty. Apart from much coveted saris from Paithan also look out for Mashru and Kamkhab weaves and bidriware.