Best Things to do in Aurangabad

Aurangabad is one of the largest cities in Maharashtra and one of the important tourist destinations of the state. Declared as the ?Tourism Capital of Maharashtra?, Aurangabad is one of the fastest growing cities of the state. With a semiarid climate, the city has been an essential part of India?s culture and heritage. During winter, the city enjoys a pleasant climate and according to many tourists, it is the best time to visit the place.
Situated near the Girja-Purna River basin of Phulambri River, Aurangabad is surrounded by both agricultural land and forests. The city?s well-known for its cotton and silk mills producing best quality textile materials. Aurangabad is the home to beautifully built rock-cut temples and caves built with only chisel and hammer. According to experts, the city has been a fine example of Indian architecture.

The city has been major cotton and silk-producing center of India. The Himroo textile, made from silk and cotton, is manufactured here. Also, Aurangabad is famous for its Paithani Sarees ? made from best quality silk. Plus, Bidriware, a type of inlay work on copper done with gold and silver, of the city is well-known.

Aurangabad has witnessed several ups and downs in the history of India. From being a source of learning during the reign of the Satavahan rulers to being the ?Gaddi? or ancestral residence of the ruiling clan of Bhosales, the city has witnessed several important historical events.
In the latter part of the 13th century, the area came under the rule of the Mughals who further brought in their cultural traditions. During the Mughal era, Aurangabad was well known as a ?City of Gates? due to the presence of 52 gates built around it. Among these gates, only 13 have survived. In the 17th-century Mughal ruler Aurangzeb met his end here. Significantly, his death triggered the decline of the Mughal dynasty.
During the colonial rule, the British rulers used Aurangabad as a base of operations for administrative reasons.