Why this Indian city is known as the City of Gates
In short: Officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, this historic Maharashtra city was once the Mughal capital of the Deccan. Known as the City of Gates, it features 52 historic entrances, a legacy of the 17th-century fortification efforts against Maratha raids that transformed the urban landscape into a major military and cultural outpost.
The city's origins trace back to a village named Khaḍkī, established in 1610 by the Ethiopian military leader Malik Ambar to serve as the capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. Following the Mughal annexation in 1636, the city underwent several transformations. In 1653, the Mughal prince Aurangzeb made it his capital and renamed it Aurangabad. During his reign, the city flourished as a vital military and cultural hub, attracting poets, scholars, and elites. By the late 17th century, it had grown into a significant center for Persian and Urdu literature, with an estimated population of 200,000 living across 54 suburbs.
The city's architectural identity is defined by its 52 gates, constructed around 1683 to protect the growing urban center from Maratha raids. Beyond these fortifications, the city houses the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a 17th-century mausoleum built for Dilras Banu Begum. Often called the Taj of the Deccan, its design mirrors the Taj Mahal in Agra. Other notable historical landmarks include the 17th-century Panchakki water mill, which utilizes an underground channel to power its mechanism, and the nearby Ajanta and Ellora caves, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1983.
Following the decline of Mughal influence, the city served as the capital of the Nizam of Hyderabad until 1763. It later transitioned through British suzerainty before becoming part of the Indian state of Maharashtra in 1960. Today, the city balances its rich historical legacy with modern industrial growth. It is a key production center for cotton textiles and artistic silk fabrics, including the traditional Himroo style. In 2019, it was selected for the Smart Cities Mission, and it now hosts major global automotive and manufacturing firms, including BMW, Audi, and Siemens, within its industrial parks.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Aurangabad
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