Aurangabad enjoys a strategic location in the central India from where the north India can have a good control over the Deccan. It's important positioning was first realized by Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq who established his capital at Deogir and re-named it as Daulatabad. But the city has got its name from the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb who made this city as his seat of power to control his vast empire. Visit the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, Pithalkhora Caves, Paithan and other places to learn the real grandeur of the city.

Ajanta Caves:

The Ajanta Caves are situated 108 kms. north-east of Aurangabad. They are carved in rock in the form of a horse-shoe with stream Waghora flowing through it. Thirty Buddhist caves; some unfinished comprising of either viharas(monastic halls) or chaityas(chapels) are situated in its surroundings. They potray Buddhist architecture and sculpture in India. The creation of the caves dates back to some period between 200 B.C. and 600 A.D. The caves were accidently discovered in

1819 by a group of British Officers on a hunting expedition. The Ajanta paintings and sculptures illustrate the major events from the life of the Buddha and tales from the 'Jatakas'.  Despite its age, most sculptures remain well preserved. Natural light illuminates the caves at certain times of the day that leaves one gazing at architectural brilliance. The Ajanta Caves is placed on the World Heritage List of Monuments and is today an important tourist landmark and a true 'Wonder of the World'.

Ellora Caves: Impressive in their own right is the rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora that lie just 30 km away from Aurangabad city. In all, there are 34 cave temples, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 AD) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 AD) 22 more caves, dedicated to Lord Shiva, were recently discovered. Kailas Temple (cave16), the central attraction at Ellora, is the most remarkable. Chiseled by hand from a single massive rock, it includes a gateway, pavilion, courtyard, vestibule, sanctum, sanctorum and tower which bear testimony to the excellence of Dravidian art. It is believed to have taken 7000 laborers, working in continuous shifts and 150 years to build. Ever since the first European visitors in 18th Century, Ellora has attracted chroniclers, antiquarians, scholars and in more recent years, ever- increasing number of tourists.

PitalKhora Caves:

The caves are cut into the side of a secluded ravine. They comprising mainly of Viharas or monasteries, which form the largest group of Hinayana Buddhist structures. The story of Pitalkhora is shrouded in the depths of time, but the site has yielded many unusual sculptures, including wonderful Yaksa or girlie figures. Over the years the cliff has fallen away and most of the carvings that existed on the face of the cliff fell with it, so very little is left today. The main gate to the site from the gorge consists of a wide terrace, with the naga, mystical serpent like figures, and other guardians flanking the door. There is also a row of elephants "supporting" the complex. A stairway leads directly to the Chaitya or shrine. The area has covered drains, a complex of viharas, a chaitya hall, and two smaller caves across the gorge with stupas in them. The sculptural remains at Pitalkhora include animal motifs, miniature Chaitya windows, elephants, guardians and yaksa figures. The Chaitya of Pitalkhora is also crumbling. The pillars have been replaced with cement to prevent collapse. The surviving pillars have remains of 5th century paintings. The elaborate carving above doors, in cells, and around common rooms may be a mark of the wealth of the community, or of its patrons. One can find, to the right, smaller viharas, mostly in ruinous condition; to the left are the larger, carved Viharas Stupas. Across the gorge one can see the three little caves, with stupas inside. One is a small Chaitya hall. The stupas in these caves are very interesting. They are about twice human height. They are not apparently fixed into the cave, but have been moved into the niches provided for them.

 

Aurangabad Caves: The almost forgotten caves of Aurangabad lie just outside the city. Excavated between the 2nd and 6th century AD, they reflect TANTRIC influences in their iconography and architectural designs. In all there are nine caves which are mainly viharas (monasteries).

The most interesting among these are Caves 3 and 7. The former is supported on 12 highly ornate columns and has sculptures depicting scenes from the legendary 'Jakata' tales. Cave 7 with its detailed figures of bejeweled women also has a dominating sculpture of a 'Bodhisattva' praying for deliverance.

Daulatabad Fort: Once known as 'Devgiri', this magnificent 12th century fortress stands on a hill just 13 km. from Aurangabad. It was given the name Daulatabad, the 'city of fortune', by Muhammad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi. Initially a Yadav stronghold, it passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. One of the world's best preserved fort of medieval times, surviving virtually unaltered, Daulatabad yet displays the character that made it invincible.

This is a Fortress that was conquered only by treachery. A series of secret, quizzical, subterranean passages lie coiled like a python amidst the fort. Here flaring torches were thrust upon an unwary enemy. Or hot oil poured down his path, as he deliberated in the labyrinth. Also the heat from a brazier was blown into the passage by a process of suction suffocating the entire garrison within. The Fort itself lies in the body of an isolated hill; the steep hill - sides at the base falling so sharply to the moat that no hostile troops could scale the height.

The moat, 40 ft. deep with mechanical drawbridges teemed with crocodiles. A 5-kilometer sturdy wall, artificial scarping and a complicated series of defenses made Daulatabad impregnable. The 30-meter high Chand Minar (Tower) built much later with 3 circular galleries had a defensive and religious role in the fortress.

Bibi Ka Maqbara: The monument is Bibi Ka Maqbara built by Aurangzeb’s son, Azam Shah, in 1660 as a loving tribute to his mother, Dilras Bano Begam. Interestingly, while the Begum nestles in the magnificent structure, the austere Moghal emperor chose to be laid in and commemorated with touching simplicity. Aurangzeb’s tomb is also in Aurangabad at Khuldabad en route Daulatabad Fort. It is a simple latticed enclosure with whitewashed walls, a small marble railing, erected 200 years later, and a tomb marked by the white cotton sheet spread over it to delimit the modesty of his desires.

Bibi Ka Maqbara is an architectural wonder with intricate designs, carved motifs, imposing structure and beautifully landscaped Moghal-style garden. The walk from the entrance to the monument is dotted with lush lawns, deep green cypresses and gurgling fountains. The pavements leading to the mausoleum are flanked by oblong reservoirs. The ambience is overwhelmingly that of the Taj. On close encounter, however, one realizes that while the Taj is pure white with the coolness and smoothness of the Rajasthan marble, the walls of the Maqbara are a little dusky by contrast. They lack the sheen of marble. In fact, the dome and some parts of the main building are made of marble, the rest is plastered with Eastco plaster, a kind of high quality cement which gives marble-like look and strength to the walls. That is the reason why the Maqbara looks a little dull compared to the Taj. That is also probably one reason why it is often referred to as the "poor man’s Taj". The epithet is, however, unjust as the Maqbara has its own splendour and grace and by no standards can it be called poor.

Panchakki: A 17th century water mill that takes its name from the mill which used to grind grain for the pilgrims and disciples of saints as well as for troops of the garrison. A mountain spring about eight kilometres away is the water source for running the mill; a maze of underground earthen pipes cleverly channelled the water to feed elevated masonry tanks; when full, these would siphon out in the form of a perennial waterfall moving the blades of the grinding wheel. Underneath the reservoir of Panchakki there are spacious, cool chambers which are used during summer by pilgrims. The water distribution system built in 1695 is a marvel of hydrology and was the engineering feat of Malik Ambar, architect of Aurangabad city. In 1624 as Sufi saint, a spiritual guide to Emperor Aurangzeb, was buried here. The gardens with its several fish tanks serve as his memorial.