Ahmednagar is the main city of Ahmednagar District in the state of Maharashtra. It is located about 120 km northeast of Pune, 300 km east of Mumbai and 120 km from Aurangabad. The name of the city originated from the name of the founder, Ahmed Shah Nizam Shah.
The history of Ahmednagar dates back to the Mauryan era. The place is mentioned in the reference of Mauryan Emperor Ashok (240 BC) as a hamlet neighbouring the present city and bypass between Junner and Paithan. The town was established by Ahmad Nizam Shah at Bhingar (an ancient city) in 1494.
The Nizam Shahi dynasty, set up by Ahmad Nizam, lasted until its conquest by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1636. In 1759, the destination was taken over by the Peshwa of the Marathas, and in 1790, it was given up to the Maratha chief Daulat Rao Sindhia. In 1817, it came in the possession of the British from the Marathas as per the terms of the Treaty of Poona.
Ahmednagar is located on the left banks of the Sina River. Three physical divisions namely, Western Hilly Region, Central Plateau Region and the region of northern and southern plains describe the geography of Ahmednagar. Mula, Paravara, Dhora and Sina are the important rivers of Ahmednagar.
The major attraction of the city is the Ahmednagar Fort. The fort was built by Ahmed Nizam Shah in the year 1490. It is a circular shaped fort with 18 metre tall walls, which is supported by 22 bastions. The fort is currently under the control of the Indian military.
The Tomb of Salabat Khan II, also known as Chand Bibi's Mahal, is located six miles east of the city, on a hill between 700 and 800 feet above the city level. Baugh Rauza, a fine black stone mausoleum with a domed roof, has the Koran inscribed on gold. Apart from these, the other attractions are Tank Museum and Shani Shinganapur (market place).
Ahmednagar is renowned for sugar mills, milk production and bank co-operatives. It has nineteen sugar factories and is also known as the birthplace of the cooperative movement.
The nearest airport to Ahmednagar is in Pune, which is 113 kilometres away. The Ahmednagar railway station is connected to the main cities of India.
The climate of the city remains dry and hot through out the year. The months from October till March remain moderately cold, which is also the best time to visit the city.
The town was founded in 1494 by Ahmad Nizam Shah on the site of a more ancient city, Bhingar. With the breakup of the Bahmani Sultanate, Ahmad established a new sultanate in Ahmednagar, also known as Nizam Shahi dynasty.
It was one of the Deccan sultanates, which lasted until its conquest by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1636. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor, who spent the latter years of his reign, 1681–1707, in the Deccan, died at Khuldabad near Aurangabad in 1707, and a small monument marks the site.
In 1759, the Peshwa of the Marathas obtained possession of the place from Nizam of Hyderabad and in 1790 it was ceded by the Peshwa to the Maratha chief Daulat Rao Sindhia. Ahmednagar was invaded by a British force under General Wellesley and captured. It was afterwards restored to the Marathas, but again came into the possession of the British in 1817, according to the terms of the Treaty of Poona.
Numerous Mughal-era buildings dot the environs. Ahmednagar Fort, once considered the second most unimpregnable fort in India, was used by the British to house Jawaharlal Nehru (the first prime minister of India) and other Indian Nationalists before Indian independence. A few rooms there have been converted to a museum. During his confinement by the British at Ahmednagar Fort, Nehru wrote the famous book