Country | India |
Population | 1175116 |
Area | 141 km2 (54 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
Coordinates | 19.87757, 75.34226 |
Highest elevation | 568 m (1,864 ft) |
City Gallery
City Description
Sambhaji Nagar, officially known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is a vibrant city in Maharashtra, India, and the largest urban center in the Marathwada region. With a population of approximately 1,175,116, it stands as the fifth-most populous city in Maharashtra, trailing only Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik.
Nestled in the Deccan Plateau, Sambhaji Nagar sits atop hilly terrain and is part of the Deccan Traps, which contributes to its distinct geographical features. The city, once known as Aurangabad, was renamed in honor of the Maratha king Sambhaji, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Its strategic location has historically made it a crucial hub in the region.
Sambhaji Nagar has a rich historical tapestry. It was originally part of the ancient Satavahana dynasty’s capital, Paithan, around the 1st century BCE. Later, in the 9th century CE, it was the capital of the Yadava dynasty under the name Dēvagirī. The Delhi Sultanate annexed the region in 1308, and in 1327, the Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq moved his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, which is part of modern-day Sambhaji Nagar. However, this move was reversed in 1334.
The city as it is known today was established in 1610 by Malik Ambar, an Ethiopian military leader and Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, initially named Khaḍkī. It was later renamed Fatehnagar by Malik Ambar’s son, Fateh Khan. In 1636, Aurangzeb, then the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, annexed the city and renamed it Aurangabad. It served as the Mughal Empire’s capital of the Deccan region until 1724, when the Nizam of Hyderabad established the Asaf Jahi dynasty and made Aurangabad the capital. This status continued until 1763 when the capital was moved to Hyderabad. The city remained part of Hyderabad State until 1956, when it was incorporated into Maharashtra.
Today, Sambhaji Nagar is renowned for its textile industry, particularly cotton and silk fabrics. It is also a prominent educational center, home to institutions such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. The city’s rich cultural heritage includes the Ajanta and Ellora caves, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites located nearby, attracting numerous tourists each year.
Sambhaji Nagar is also known as the “City of Gates” due to its historical gates, with a number of them still standing. In 2019, the city’s modern industrial development was highlighted by the establishment of the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), India’s first greenfield smart city under the Smart Cities Mission.
With a significant number of historical landmarks like the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a replica of the Taj Mahal, and various other temples, forts, and lakes, Sambhaji Nagar offers a blend of historical charm and modern progress. Its status as an industrial and educational hub, combined with its rich history and cultural significance, makes it a notable city in India’s landscape.
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