The entire area is covered by the Deccan Traps lava flows of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Eocene age. The lava flows are overlain by thin alluvial deposits along the Kham and Sukhana river. The basaltic lava flows belonging to the Deccan Trap is the only major geological formation occurring in Aurangabad. The lava flows are horizontal and each flow has two distinct units. The upper layers consist of vesiculara and amygdaloidal zeolitic basalt while the bottom layer consists of massive basalt.The lava flows are individually different in their ability to receive as well as hold water in storage and to transmit it. The difference in the productivity of groundwater in various flows arises as a result of their inherent physical properties such as porosity and permeability. The groundwater occurs under water table conditions and is mainly controlled by the extent of its secondary porosity i.e. thickness of weathered rocks and spacing of joints and fractures. The highly weathered vesicular trap and underlying weathered jointed and fractured massive trap constitutes the main water yielding zones. The soil is mostly formed from igneous rocks and are black, medium black, shallow and calcareous types having different depths and profiles.[13]
Namantar Andolan is revolutionary Dalit movement continued for 16 years to rename Marathwada University to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.[7] In 1977, Chief Minister on Maharashtra, Mr Vasantdada Patil promised to Dalit Panther leaders to rename after Dr B R Ambedkaer’s name. In fulfillment of this promise, both houses of Maharashtra Legislature passed a resolution to this effect in July 1978. And attacks continued on Dalits by Non Dalits and upper caste Hindus by fortnight. As a result of violence Dalits did not reacted for shorter tenure. [8] Then Chief Minister Mr Sharad Pawar kept on postponing the matter. As a result Long March was planned by Dalit leaders on December 6 ,1979 led by Jogendra Kawade . Thousands of participants and prominent leaders were arrested. [9][10]After 16 years of protest, government finally renamed the Marathwada University to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University on 14th January 1994. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University is expansion of name (Namvistar) rather than complete change of name (Namanatar).During Namantar Andolan Aurangabad district and its villages faced cultural animosities which brought civil rights revolution in Marathwada region.[11]
The availability of staple, easily used ingredients and some derivatives such as the Vadis (dried rice/lentil nuggets), vegetables of the season – Vangi (brinjals) appear on most menus while the other lentils from the region make their presence felt in the Jhunkas and Pitlas (raw tomato curry made thick with besan). The use of groundnut with garlic, chillies and kopra are seen in the creation of the Chutney, thecha and pastes/gravy (with the onion as the main ingredient). The mutton and fowl are celebrated for their tenderness and taste (locally, the Gavran Chicken though fibrous as compared to the broiler is a hot favourite for its robust taste). The accompanying bread is of Jwarichi bhaakri, or Bajrichi Bhakari, Poli and variations such as ‘Dhapate’ are well known, the Thalipeeth, which is made from a combination of various grains and partaken with butter.[43]
Bibi Ka Maqbara was built in 1678 by Aurangzeb’s son, Azam Shah, as a loving tribute to his mother, Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Bano Begam. In 1756, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah, a distinguished General of Aurangzeb with the intention of founding his own dynasty in the Deccan, arrived at Aurangabad and made it his capital. He paid a visit to Delhi in 1723, but returned in 1724, Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II transferred his capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad in 1763.[5] It was ceded by Ali Khan Asaf Jah II, Nizam of Hyderabad to Maratha Empire with Daulatabad and Solapur after Battle of Kharda in 1795[6] with paying indemnity of 30 million rupees. However, Marathi rule was lasted only 8 years and Nizam regained lost territories except Solapur with help of Arthur Wellesley, British general during Second Anglo-Maratha War.
Aurangabad contributes one seat to the Lok Sabha – Aurangabad (Lok Sabha constituency). The seat is currently held by Mr. Chandrakant Khaire, MP of the Shiv Sena party. It also holds the seat for the Assembly – Aurangabad West. Mr Rajendra Darda of (Indian National Congress) is the MLA from Aurangabad East constituency and holds the portfolio of Cabinet Minister for Education, Government of Maharashtra.[25] In latest constituency arrangements made by,[26] Aurangabad will conrtibute one Loksabha seat, and three state assembly seats namely Aurangabad East, Aurangabad West and Aurangabad Central. The latest MLAs being – Aurangabad (East) – Rajendra Darda of Congress(I), Aurangabad (Central) – Pradeep Jaiswal (Independent) and Aurangabad (West) Sanjay Shirsat of Shiv-Sena.[27]
There is evidence to believe that Aurangabad was developed as a trading hub four centuries ago. Aurangabad is the one the fastest developing cities in Asia. It tops the chart among the developing cities. It lies on a major trade route that used to connect north-west India’s sea and land ports to the Deccan region. Recently Aurangabad was in news for placing single largest order for Mercedes Benz cars in a single transaction in India — 150 Mercedes Benz cars worth Rs 65 crore.[15][16] Without a local Mercedes-Benz showroom and encountering an indifferent Mercedes-Benz dealer in the nearest city, a group of successful citizens pooled their orders and negotiated a record agreement with the firm. Soon after that, bulk purchase order of 101 BMW cars was also placed.[17]
Aurangabad was founded in 1610 A.D.[citation needed] by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar, on the site of a village called Khadki. He made it his capital and the men of his army raised their dwellings around it. Within a decade, Khadki grew into a populous and imposing city. Malik Ambar cherished strong love and ability for architecture. Aurangabad was Ambar’s architectural achievement and creation. Malik Ambar died in 1626.[4] He was succeeded by his son Fateh Khan, who changed the name of Khadki to Fatehnagar. With the capture of Daulatabad previously known as Devagiri by the imperial troops in 1633, the Nizam Shahi dominions, including Fatehnagar, came under the possession of the Moghals.
Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench : The Aurangabad bench of The Bombay High Court was established in 1982. Initially only a few districts of Maharashtra were under the Aurangabad bench. Subsequently in 1988, Ahmednagar and others districts were attached to the bench. The jurisdiction of the Aurangabad Bench is over Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalna, Jalgaon, Beed, Parbhani, Latur and Osmanabad. The Aurangabad bench has a strong Bar of more than 700 advocates. The Aurangabad bench has now 15 judges. The present building of bench is situated in a very huge premises. The first phase of centrally located magnificent High Court edifice, having 6,202.18 square metres built up area was opened in the month of June 1995.
Aurangabad / Marathwada / Dakhni cuisine is a blend of the Puneri and the Hyderabadi cuisine (which beautifully blends the use of typical South Indian ingredients such as curry leaves, tamarind and coconut into their celebrated culinary practices).[43] Distinctively different from the Hyderabadi cuisine, the Deccani cuisine (Marathwada, North Karnataka and Telangana) is a simple yet sumptuously wholesome affair. The stress is on the powdered masalas and their right proportions while cooking, unlike the Mughlai items where emphasis is on opulent garnishing and seasoning. While Mughlai is mostly prepared by low-simmer in dum-style, Deccani food is not as time consuming and spicy as its royal counterpart.[44]
Aurangabad pronunciation (help·info), is a city in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. Aurangabad (meaning “Built by the Throne”) is named after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara. The administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division or Marathwada region, Aurangabad is said to be a City of Gates and the strong presence of these can be felt as one drives through the city. Recently, Aurangabad has been declared as Tourism Capital of Maharashtra.[2] It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the world.[3]
The year 1857 was eventful in the history of Aurangabad with the rest of the country. The British moved the first cavalry from Mominabad (Ambejogai) to Aurangabad to relieve 3rd cavalry which had marched to Malegaon, and was the first regiment to show signs of disaffection. The 2nd Infantry also came under suspicion. The authorities at Hyderabad were kept informed of the course of events by express. Upon this, a column of troops was ordered to march from Pune to Aurangabad. In the meanwhile, the artillery was also showing signs of rebellion, but the rumour of Bombay troops marching towards Aurangabad had a quieting effect. The men of the cavalry also returned to their posts.
The city is divided in 99 electoral wards called as Prabhag, and each ward is represented by a Corporator elected by the people from each ward. There are two Committees, General Body and Standing Committee headed by the Mayor and the Chairman respectively. AMC is responsible for providing basic amenities like drinking water, drainage facility, road, street lights, healthcare facilities, primary schools, etc. AMC collects its revenue from the urban taxes which are imposed on citizens. The administration is headed by the Municipal Commissioner; an I.A.S. Officer, assisted by the other officers of different departments.
Aurangabad has transformed into a major education center in the Deccan due to its rapid industrial growth and proximity to Mumbai and Pune. It has schools run by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation and private schools owned and run by trusts and individuals. Aurangabad has many state govt. schools and colleges for higher studies such as Govt. College of pharmacy, Aurangabad. Aurangabad is a hub of Pharmaceutical Education. Yash Institute of Pharmacy is one of the pharmacy colleges offering B.Pharm, M.Pharm and Ph.D education.[citation needed]
The city was a major silk and cotton textile production centre. A fine blend of silk with locally grown cotton was developed as Himroo textile. Paithani silk saris are also made in Aurangabad. With the opening of the Hyderabad-Godavari Valley Railways in the year 1900 several ginning factories were started.[18] After 1960, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) began acquiring land and setting up industrial estates. Aurangabad is now classic example of efforts of state government towards balanced industrialisation of state.[19]
Temperature: Annual mean temperatures in Aurangabad range from 17 to 33 °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).[12]
Aurangabad (station code:AWB) is a station located on the Secunderabad-Manmad section of the Nanded Division of South Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways. Aurangabad has rail connectivity with Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad. It is also connected to Nanded, Parli, Nagpur, Nizamabad, Nasik, Pune, Kurnool, Renigunta, Erode, Madurai, Bhopal, Gwalior, Vadodra, Narsapur. But there is still a demand for direct rail connectivity to other major cities of India. The Aurangabad Jan Shatabdi Express is the fastest train connecting it with Mumbai.
Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aerial view Bibi Ka Maqbara: Situated about 3 km (2 mi). from the city is Bibi Ka Maqbara, the burial place of Aurangzeb’s wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani alias Dilras Banu Begum. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra and due to its similar design, it is popularly known as the Mini Taj of the Deccan. The Maqbara stands in the middle of a spacious and formally planned Mughal garden with axial ponds, fountains, water channels, broad pathways and pavilions. Behind the mausoleum is located a small archaeological museum.
Aurangabad Cantonment is the greenest area of the Aurangabad city. It also has a nine hole golf course, the only such course in Marathwada region. Aurangabad Cantonment was formed in the year 1819 with European Officers to train the Nizam Army. In 1903, a treaty was signed between British and the Nizam, and it was decided to establish a proper Cantonment. Today the Cantonment is spread across 2,584 acres (10.46 km2) with civil population of 19274 as per 2001 census.[30]
Bhadkal Gate built by Malik Ambar in commemoration of his victory against the Mughals. Aurangabad Caves: Situated at a distance of 5 km (3 mi), nestled amidst the hills are 12 Buddhist caves probably dating back to 3 A.D. Of particular interest are the Tantric influences evident in the iconography and architectural designs of the caves. One is also treated to a panoramic view of the city as well as the imposing Maqbara from this point.
In the first decade of the twenty-first 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, Bank of Maharashtra, Citibank India, Deutsche Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank of India, HDFC Bank, etc. Also Regional Rural Bank viz. Maharashtra Godavari Gramin Bank has its head office in Aurangabad city.
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