Aurangabad gets its name from a Persian word meaning "Built by the Throne", named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is a city in Maharashtra, India. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments including the Ajanta and Ellora World heritage sites, and is the administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division, or Marathwada region. Aurangabad is said to be a 'City of Gates' as one can not miss the strong presence of these as one drives through the city.

There was a village named Khadki where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). It is widely believed that city took shape between 1604 and 1610 under Ambar's rule. Initially, it was named Fatehpura (city of Victory), probably after Ambar's son Fateh Khan.In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Khadki as Governor of the Deccan.

In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics.In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become the Mughal Emperor. He used the city as a base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken during his period. Aurangzeb's tomb is situated at Khultabad, a small town near the city which is also known as Saints valley.

Important places in and around Aurangabad include Bibi Ka Maqbara (a replica of the Taj Mahal), the Ellora, Aurangabad and Ajanta caves, the Ghrishneshwar Shiva temple and the Daulatabad fort.Today, it is known for some of the finest colleges and university in Maharashtra. And it is the fastest growing industrial town in India. But the charm and glory of its long past has not been lost. And its heritage is rich and varied - the result of the artistic and cultural influences of several dynasties since its first Stone Age inhabitants.

Places to See:
Panchakki: Panchakki (Water Wheel) takes its name from the mill that, in its days, was considered a marvel of engineering. Driven by water brought through earthen pipes from the river 6km away, the mill once ground grain for pilgrims. The mill it self is to the right of the first tank as you enter. It is also the shrine of a saint, Baba Shah Musafir.

Bibi Ka Maqbara: Bibi Ka Maqbara is the tomb of Begum Rabia Durani,wife of Emperor Aurangazeb. The monument is an excellent example of Persian Architecture. The arched alcove surmounted by a swelling dome, the idea had acquired its own reputation in India. Bibi Ka Maqbara is considered to be a poor imitation of Taj Mahal in Agra. The layout and surrounding of the tomb is very much similar to that of Taj but some how the architecture fails to produce the magic of Taj. Nevertheless, the monument has its own charm and has been attracting tourist far & wide.

Himroo Factory: Tucked away in the old town near Zaffar Gate, this small workshop is the only place in the city that still produces hand-woven Himroo shawls from cotton, silk and silver threads. This art developed as a cheaper alternative to the more extravagant brocades of silk and gold thread, known as Kam Khab, that were woven for royalty in the 14th century. Aurangabad is well known for its Himroo, shawls and saris. It can be found in the many showrooms around the market area. Most are mass produced using power looms but here you can see the traditional process. Many of the designs are based on motifs in Ajanta frescoes.

Aurangabad Caves:  Although they're easily overlooked in favor of the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad has its own group of caves 2km north of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara. They were carved out of the hillside around the 6th or 7th century AD. The 10 caves are all Buddhist; caves 1 to 5 are in the western group and caves 6 to 10 are 1 km away in the eastern group.

Khuldabad: It is a city and a municipal council in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.Initially it was known as Rauza meaning garden of paradise. It is known as the Valley of Saints, or the Abode of Eternity, because in the 14th century, several Sufi saints of the Chishti order, chose to reside here. The dargah of Shaikh Burhan ud-din Gharib Chisti along with the tomb of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his trusted general Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I are located in this town.

Tomb of Aurangzeb in Khuldabad is famous devotee place. It has "Bhadra Maruti" Temple. People come from Aurangabad and nearby places by walk for offering puja on Hanuman Jayanti and on Saturdays in Marathi calendar month "Shravan". It has a famous mosque that contains two of Prophet Muhammad's whiskers. It is also the site of the open-air tomb of the last great Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. Nearby is the Valley of the Saints, which is purported to contain the graves of 1500 Sufi saints.