Introduction:

Urban developments may be divided into six periods. The periods are ancient, classic,
medieval, neo-classic, colonial, and modern. There are overlaps or transition years
between these periods. The origin of urban centers came into being as early as
6000-5000 B.C.
Urbanization is a process by which villages turn into towns and towns into cities and
so on. In India, bases of origin of urban centres were not different from that of the
western world. Towns primarily originated and developed in the areas which were fertile
agriculturally.
Most of the towns have village origin, and small towns have a substantial part of their
work force engaged in agriculture. Religion of towns also plays an important role in the
origin of towns.
Another significant base of origin of towns in India has been political. Princely states had
their capital cities originated, grew and even deserted with the beginning, rise and fall of
kingdoms during the course of history. Aurangabad is one such prominent example.
Location and Boundaries:
Aurangabad city is located on 19053'50'' north latitude and 75022'46'' east
longitude. The city is located 529 meters above mean sea level. Aurangabad sits in a
strategic position on the Deccan plateau. The city is surrounded by Vindhya ranges
and the river Kham passes through it.

Zones in the city:

For the administrative purpose the
Municipal Council has
divided all the wards into 6 zones
namely A, B, C, D, E and F.
 Historical Background:
Aurangabad is an ancient and historical city of the Marathwada region. Aurangabad city is the
headquarters of Aurangabad district and also the divisional head quarter of the
Aurangabad region. Formerly, there was a small village named Kirki (Khadki) where the city
stands today. According to some historian, the city was found in 1610 AD by Malik Ambar. Malik
Ambar was the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the
Deccan. It is widely believe that Aurangabad city took shape between 1604 and 1610 under
Malik Ambar's rule. Initially the city was named as Fatehabad it means the city of victory,
probably after Malik's son Fateh Khan. In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Kirki as the Governor
of 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 become Mughal Emperor.
Aurangzeb used the city as base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan
sultanates. He lived in the city until his death in 1707. The present name of the city was
probably taken after his death. Aurangzeb's tomb is situated at Khultabad, small town near the
city. There are no direct references to the present day city in the ancient history. The city was
famous for its 52 gates and Rajwada known by the name of Subhedari. Malik Ambar had
designed a water supply system for the city through a canal that exists even today.
SOCIO ECONOMIC
Since late 16th century the old down town market areas evolved in the old city areas of
Aurangabad. The market system of the Aurangabad town was totallay an organised
institution run by private traders and businessmen The famous Aurangpura Bazaar
evolved with several of its craft and artisans streets per se… Gulmandi, Rangaar Galli
with traditional flower sellers and fabric dye and fabric weavers and developers, also
several food and sarai hosts, which later evolved further with the farsaan sellers like,
Uttam Mishthan Bhandaar, Mewad Hotel, Gayatri Chaat Bhandaar, Bassayye grain and
oil seller. The Aurangpura markets hosted while it was evolving in late seventeenth
century several business communities from different parts of Deccan and Northern
India. These business and artisans’ communities developed their settlements streets in
and around the market areas of Gulmandi. One such prime settlement was Kasu Park,
where the Gujarati and Marwari settlers constructed their havelis and also temples for
deities. Thus, on many of these streets we come across beautiful heritage house and
temples of different faiths.
The areas like Kumbharwada were the settlements of potters and in the Sarafa bazaar
were the Goldsmiths.
The history of Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra, India, dates to 1610, when it was founded by Malik
Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah ofAhmadnagar, on the site of a village called Kharki.

Malik Ambar died in 1626.He was succeeded by his son Fateh Khan, who changed the
name of Kharki to Fatehnagar.
In 1653 when Prince Aurangzeb was appointed the viceroy of theDeccan for the second time, he made
Fatehnagar his capital and called it Aurangabad.

The city became the residence of Aurangzeb- the Mughal Emperor in 1681 and in 1682 Khan Jahan
Bahadur constructed a wall around Aurangabad to protect it against surprise attacks of Marathas.

The total number of gates in aurangabad came upto 52 Gates. This included the gates of Naukhanda
citade,Quila e Ark and the Fortified town wall

iAurangabad became the capital of the Nizam ul Mulk, who later moved his capital to Hyderabad and
became the Nizam there.

Since the princely state of Hyderabad was not known for its administration, cities like
Aurangabad languished, inspite of a glorious past and a resourceful and skilled
workforce
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) began acquiring land and setting up
industrial estates