One of the
most historical and well-travelled cities in Maharashtra, Aurangabad is the best place for history lovers. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in the state and is well known for the
Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is also home to the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a tomb built in memory of Aurangzeb's wife.
Aurangabad has one of the underlying histories that draws tourists from all over the world. The city of Aurangabad was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, a general in the service of the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir. Malik Ambar was a high-ranking official in the Mughal court and had a considerable military force at his disposal. He was originally from the Deccan region and had distinguished himself in a series of campaigns there. When Jahangir was looking for someone to govern the Deccan region, Malik Ambar was a natural choice. Malik Ambar decided to make the city of Aurangabad his capital. He laid out the city in an orderly fashion and constructed a number of palaces and other buildings. He also built a strong fortress to protect the city. Malik Ambar was a shrewd administrator, and he made Aurangabad into a prosperous and thriving city.
Aurangabad remained under the rule of the Mughals until the mid-18th century. In 1707, the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, died, and the Mughal Empire began to collapse. In 1724, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Asaf Jah, conquered Aurangabad and made it into his capital. The Nizams ruled Hyderabad and the surrounding region until 1948, when India gained independence from British rule.
Today, Aurangabad is now a major city in the state of Maharashtra and is an important commercial and cultural centre.