Aurangabad Founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, Aurangabad was then known as "Khidki" meaning window. The city served the real purpose of its ancient name as the Mughals could look into the Deccan through it.
Later in 1953 the city was renamed as Aurangabad when Aurangazeb took over the Deccan kingdom. Aurangabad is most famous for its historical monuments and caves. The most renowned tourists' attraction of Aurangabad is Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, built in memory of Aurangazeb's wife, Begum Rabia Durani.
Among others there are Aurangabad Caves, Panchakki, Himroo Factory, Darwazas, Daulatabad Fort, Khuldabad, Shirdi, Grihneshwar Temple, Paithan, Ajanata and Ellora Caves, and History Museum of Marathwada University.
Attractions: Bibi-Ka-Maqbara: 5 km away from Aurangabad, built in the memory of Begum Rabia Durani, by her son Prince Azam Shah, Bibi-ka-Maqbara is a complete replica of Taj Mahal. It is an excellent example of the Percian Architecture.
Aurangabad Caves: Travel a few kilometers from bibi-ka-maqbara and you would reach the Aurangabad Caves. The excavation of these caves goes back to the time of 2nd to 6th century AD. The most famous caves of Aurangabad are the 34 caves of Ellora and 29 caves of Ajanta. The world's largest monolithic sculpture, the Kailash Temple is to be found in the Ellora Caves.
Aurangabad, the gateway to Ajanta and Ellora, holds a significant place in the Buddhism. Not much of Aurangabad’s ancient history is known except that it was founded by Malik Ambar in the year 1610 A.D. Malik Ambar, the prime minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah of Ahmadnagar discovered the city during his visit to Kharki village.
The King expanded the Kharki village and included Aurangabad in its domain. Malik Ambar’s son succeeded his father’s throne and transformed the name from Kharki to Fatehnagar. However, after the appointment of Aurangzeb as the Viceroy of Deccan in 1633, he made the city his capital and renamed it as the present day Aurangabad. The city was also referred as Khujista Bunyad during the rule of Aurangzeb.
The city of Aurangzeb deserves a special mention in the war of 1857 as it was the active ground of the British. It was the city of Aurangabad that the British moved their first cavalry to relieve their 3rd cavalry at Malegaon. It was here that the first rebellion against the British started.
Aurangabad was declared as part of Maharashtra in the year 1956.