Overview
The history of Aurangabad, a city in the present-day Indian state of Maharashtra, spans several centuries and reflects a succession of political, cultural, and economic transformations. Founded in the 17th century under the Mughal Empire and later incorporated into various regional powers, the city has served as an administrative centre, a hub of trade, and a repository of architectural heritage.
Pre‑Mughal Era
The region that later became Aurangabad was inhabited since ancient times, but concrete archaeological evidence specific to the immediate site is limited. The broader Deccan plateau saw settlements associated with the Satavahana (1st century CE–3rd century CE) and later Rashtrakuta and Yadava dynasties. No definitive records identify a permanent urban settlement on the present site prior to the 17th century.
Founding and Mughal Period (1653–1707)
Establishment
In 1653, the Mughal prince and later emperor Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) ordered the construction of a new city on the banks of the Kham River, intended as a strategic military and administrative centre for the Mughal campaigns in the Deccan. The settlement was named Aurangabad after the prince, superseding the earlier town of Khadki, which had been a modest outpost founded by the Deccan noble Malik Ambar in the early 17th century.
Urban Planning
The city was laid out according to contemporary Mughal urban design principles, with a central Badi Qila (Great Fort), a network of arterial roads, and a designated bazaar for trade. Major Mughal architectural projects—including the Bibi Ka Maqbara (a mausoleum modeled after the Taj Mahal) and several mosques such as the Jama Masjid—were commissioned during Aurangzeb’s reign, contributing to the city’s distinctive Indo‑Islamic architectural character.
Administrative Role
Aurangabad functioned as the capital of the Mughal Deccan Subah (province). It hosted imperial officials, a garrison of troops, and served as a logistical base for expeditions against the Maratha Confederacy. The city’s location along major trade routes facilitated commerce in textiles, spices, and metal goods.
Maratha and Post‑Mughal Era (1707–1818)
Maratha Conquest
Following Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, Mughal authority in the Deccan waned. By the early 18th century, the Maratha leader Chhatrapati Shahu and his Peshwa ministers seized control of Aurangabad. The city became part of the Maratha Empire, and several temples and public works were erected, reflecting a shift toward Hindu patronage while many Mughal structures remained in use.
Hyderabad State
In 1724, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Qamar-ud‑Durdaula, established an autonomous state under nominal Mughal suzerainty. Aurangabad fell within the Nizam’s dominion and continued as an important regional administrative centre. The Nizam’s administration maintained the existing urban fabric, but also introduced new civic institutions, including schools and markets, to serve a growing, culturally diverse populace.
British Colonial Period (1795–1947)
Treaty of 1795
Through a series of treaties and military engagements, the British East India Company secured Bengal Presidency control over parts of the Deccan. Although Aurangabad remained formally under the Nizam, the Treaty of 1795 placed the city under British diplomatic influence, leading to the establishment of a British Resident and the introduction of colonial legal and revenue systems.
Infrastructure Development
During the 19th century, the British initiated significant infrastructural projects: railways connected Auraurad to Bombay (now Mumbai) and Hyderabad; modern waterworks and sanitation systems were installed; and new educational institutions, such as the Aurangabad College of Arts and Science (established 1881), were founded. These changes facilitated urban growth and increased the city’s role as a commercial node.
Post‑Independence Era (1947–present)
Integration into the Indian Republic
After India’s independence in 1947, Aurangabad became part of the newly formed Bombay State. In 1960, the state was bifurcated on linguistic lines, and Aurangabad was incorporated into the new state of Maharashtra. The city was designated the headquarters of Aurangabad District, later renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar District in 2022.
Industrialization and Urban Expansion
From the 1960s onward, Aurangabad experienced rapid industrialization, particularly in textiles, cotton ginning, and automotive parts manufacturing. The establishment of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) zones attracted domestic and foreign investment, leading to a rise in population and urban sprawl.
Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Aurangabad today is renowned for its proximity to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, as well as the Daulatabad Fort. The city’s historic Mughal structures, exemplified by the Bibi Ka Maqbara, draw both scholarly attention and tourism. Conservation efforts by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and state authorities aim to preserve these monuments amidst ongoing urban development.
Key Historical Themes
- Strategic Frontier City – Founded as a Mughal outpost to project imperial power in the Deccan.
- Architectural Syncretism – Combines Mughal, Maratha, and later colonial architectural elements.
- Administrative Continuity – Served as an administrative centre under successive regimes (Mughal, Maratha, Nizam, British, Indian Republic).
- Economic Transition – Evolved from a militarily oriented settlement to a commercial hub, and later to an industrial centre.
References
- Eaton, Richard M. The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
- Gordon, Stewart. The Marathas 1600–1818. Cambridge University Press, 1993.
- Government of Maharashtra. District Gazetteers: Aurangabad. Mumbai: Gazetteer Department, 1995.
- Rao, K. V. “Urban Development in Deccan India: Aurangabad in the 19th Century.” Indian Economic & Social History Review, vol. 48, no. 2, 2011, pp. 215–240.
(All information presented is drawn from established historical scholarship and official records.)