Khuldabad: The Valley of Saints in Aurangabad
Despite all the developments India is going through, the traces of the past continue to exist as an integral part of the nation. Even the residents and the administering authorities have realized that preserving such places is important because it keeps us connected with the glorious past and helps us to look at things that are totally different from the modern places and structures. Khuldabad, a city in the Maharashtra state, has been home to many ancient structures and sites that attract tourists from near and far-off places in a bid to provide them an insight into the Indian history.
Location
Khuldabad is located in the district of Aurangabad, an important commercial and tourist centre of Maharashtra.
History
Khuldabad
The city holds historical importance owing to the various events and its connection with people that are now an integral part of the Indian history. A large number of places in this city are associate with the presence of historical figures and events.
Structure
There are seven gates and a fortified wall around the city of Khuldabad. This wall was constructed during the reign of Aurangzeb. It has been damaged and local people are of the opinion that if stringent measures are not taken soon, then it may collapse anytime. The tomb of Aurangzeb was built almost in the centre of the path that runs from the north and south gate of the city. A gateway, alongside a domed-porch, that was constructed in 1760 leads to a square shaped pathway where there are several buildings dedicated to a school and for tourists as well. A nagarkhana is located at the south side, whereas the mosque is at the west of the pathway.
What to See
Once you reach the city, you can visit the following spots:
Aurangzeb’s Tomb
The tomb of Aurangzeb is in the inner courtyard, where you can reach from the gateway adjacent to the north side of the mosque. There is a room in a building close to the tomb where the tomb decorations including the cloth that is spread over the coffin are kept. The tomb is at the right hand side just as you enter into the building, elevated at a height of around six inches from the ground, lying in a platform of stone with minimal designing; something that Aurangzeb wished for.
Aurangzeb organized the funds to construct his tomb by selling self-knit caps and copies of Quran. In 1760, a gateway and a domed porch were added to the tomb. Perforated marble covers the tomb from three sides, while the fourth side is formed by the border wall of a dargah, which was built in 1911. Built close to Aurangzeb’s tomb are the tombs of his son Muhammad Azam Shah, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. These tombs are decorated by marble screen and minarets on the sides and corners, along with a headstone engraved with floral patterns in Azam Shah’s tomb.
Zain Ud Din Dargah
Sayyed Zain Ud Din was a saint whose tomb was constructed by his disciples. Built inside a square shaped courtyard, the tomb is equipped with two gates at the entrance and two mosques within the large courtyard. The tomb is surrounded by buildings, nagarkhana and the music chamber. The shrine doors are decorated with finely cut stones and silver plates. The robe of Zain Ud Din has been kept in a room built adjacent to the courtyard.
Burhan Ud Din’s Tomb
The building which houses the tomb of Burhan Ud Din is opposite to the building where the tomb of Aurangzeb is built. This building is also surrounded by open fronted structures on all the sides, while the nagarkhana is towards the east of the building. A section of this building is used for teaching purposes. Inside the shrine, hair from the beard of Burhan Ud Din has been kept.
Nizam Ul Mulk Tomb
Nizam Ul Mulk Asaf Jah and his son’s tombs have been made on a rock platform with marble inlaid in it. Screens made of the same rock used to build the platform have been erected around the tomb.
Banu Begum’s Tomb
Banu Begum was the wife of one of Aurangzeb’s son. This tomb too is made in a simple, yet elegant manner with a garden, boundary wall, dome, fountains, minarets, etc.
Khan Jahan Lal Bagh
Lal Bagh is a garden where the tomb of Bani Begum is built. The garden was constructed by Khan Jahan, foster brother of Aurangzeb. The garden is adorned by a large central dome, surrounded by smaller domes on the either side; minarets, cisterns and fountains. The tomb of Khan Jahan has been constructed close to this garden.
Bhadra Maruti Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanumana. This temple boasts off a statue of Hanumana in sleeping position, one of the two such statues in the country. More than one lakh visitors gather at the temple every year during festivals like Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.
Eat, Drink, Collect
The best way to make your visit to Khuldabad more memorable is to indulge in the local cuisines served by roadside vendors and restaurants across the town. The Seekh Kebabs, Shikampur, Jhunka Bhakar, Jwarichi Bhakri, Thalipeeth, Vada Pav, Puri Bhaji and other local food items satisfy your appetite and keep you lingering for more. You should also visit the street side shops and outlets of Aurangabad to relish the local cuisines. There is equal number of restaurants dedicated to serve the vegetarian and non-vegetarian population of tourists arriving in the city.
Tourists can shop for a wide range of locally manufactured regular or traditional apparels from Aurangabad. Shawls, scarves and bed sheets made from local spun silk and cotton are another item worth purchasing from the city. Aurangabad is famous for the Paithani sarees made out of gold threads and silk. Several antiques, gift items, cutlery with religious inscriptions, artificial jewelry, and many other objects worth collecting are sold in the local markets.
Best Time to Visit
The weather of Khuldabad usually remains pleasant with rare instances of mercury rising up or dropping down below the acceptable mark. Monsoons too are not very harsh and thus the tourists do not have to worry about planning their visit to this ancient town during a specific period.
The tourists can stay at one of the many hotels and resorts in Aurangabad or the traveller’s bungalow or State guest house. Tourists are also advised to take some time out to visit the famous Ellora Caves, located at a distance of approximately 6.5 kilometres from the city.
How to Reach
The city of Khuldabad is located at a distance of around 22 kilometres from the city of Aurangabad. Aurangabad enjoys nice connectivity with many parts of the state through road, rail, and air transport and with many other states of the country as well. International tourists wishing to visit Khuldabad must board a flight for Pune airport, the closest international airport to Aurangabad. Alternately, tourists may also opt for a flight to any other international airport in India and then reach Aurangabad through any transportation method that seems appropriate according to the budget, weather and preference.
Location
Khuldabad is located in the district of Aurangabad, an important commercial and tourist centre of Maharashtra.
History
Khuldabad
The city holds historical importance owing to the various events and its connection with people that are now an integral part of the Indian history. A large number of places in this city are associate with the presence of historical figures and events.
Structure
There are seven gates and a fortified wall around the city of Khuldabad. This wall was constructed during the reign of Aurangzeb. It has been damaged and local people are of the opinion that if stringent measures are not taken soon, then it may collapse anytime. The tomb of Aurangzeb was built almost in the centre of the path that runs from the north and south gate of the city. A gateway, alongside a domed-porch, that was constructed in 1760 leads to a square shaped pathway where there are several buildings dedicated to a school and for tourists as well. A nagarkhana is located at the south side, whereas the mosque is at the west of the pathway.
What to See
Once you reach the city, you can visit the following spots:
Aurangzeb’s Tomb
The tomb of Aurangzeb is in the inner courtyard, where you can reach from the gateway adjacent to the north side of the mosque. There is a room in a building close to the tomb where the tomb decorations including the cloth that is spread over the coffin are kept. The tomb is at the right hand side just as you enter into the building, elevated at a height of around six inches from the ground, lying in a platform of stone with minimal designing; something that Aurangzeb wished for.
Aurangzeb organized the funds to construct his tomb by selling self-knit caps and copies of Quran. In 1760, a gateway and a domed porch were added to the tomb. Perforated marble covers the tomb from three sides, while the fourth side is formed by the border wall of a dargah, which was built in 1911. Built close to Aurangzeb’s tomb are the tombs of his son Muhammad Azam Shah, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. These tombs are decorated by marble screen and minarets on the sides and corners, along with a headstone engraved with floral patterns in Azam Shah’s tomb.
Zain Ud Din Dargah
Sayyed Zain Ud Din was a saint whose tomb was constructed by his disciples. Built inside a square shaped courtyard, the tomb is equipped with two gates at the entrance and two mosques within the large courtyard. The tomb is surrounded by buildings, nagarkhana and the music chamber. The shrine doors are decorated with finely cut stones and silver plates. The robe of Zain Ud Din has been kept in a room built adjacent to the courtyard.
Burhan Ud Din’s Tomb
The building which houses the tomb of Burhan Ud Din is opposite to the building where the tomb of Aurangzeb is built. This building is also surrounded by open fronted structures on all the sides, while the nagarkhana is towards the east of the building. A section of this building is used for teaching purposes. Inside the shrine, hair from the beard of Burhan Ud Din has been kept.
Nizam Ul Mulk Tomb
Nizam Ul Mulk Asaf Jah and his son’s tombs have been made on a rock platform with marble inlaid in it. Screens made of the same rock used to build the platform have been erected around the tomb.
Banu Begum’s Tomb
Banu Begum was the wife of one of Aurangzeb’s son. This tomb too is made in a simple, yet elegant manner with a garden, boundary wall, dome, fountains, minarets, etc.
Khan Jahan Lal Bagh
Lal Bagh is a garden where the tomb of Bani Begum is built. The garden was constructed by Khan Jahan, foster brother of Aurangzeb. The garden is adorned by a large central dome, surrounded by smaller domes on the either side; minarets, cisterns and fountains. The tomb of Khan Jahan has been constructed close to this garden.
Bhadra Maruti Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanumana. This temple boasts off a statue of Hanumana in sleeping position, one of the two such statues in the country. More than one lakh visitors gather at the temple every year during festivals like Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.
Eat, Drink, Collect
The best way to make your visit to Khuldabad more memorable is to indulge in the local cuisines served by roadside vendors and restaurants across the town. The Seekh Kebabs, Shikampur, Jhunka Bhakar, Jwarichi Bhakri, Thalipeeth, Vada Pav, Puri Bhaji and other local food items satisfy your appetite and keep you lingering for more. You should also visit the street side shops and outlets of Aurangabad to relish the local cuisines. There is equal number of restaurants dedicated to serve the vegetarian and non-vegetarian population of tourists arriving in the city.
Tourists can shop for a wide range of locally manufactured regular or traditional apparels from Aurangabad. Shawls, scarves and bed sheets made from local spun silk and cotton are another item worth purchasing from the city. Aurangabad is famous for the Paithani sarees made out of gold threads and silk. Several antiques, gift items, cutlery with religious inscriptions, artificial jewelry, and many other objects worth collecting are sold in the local markets.
Best Time to Visit
The weather of Khuldabad usually remains pleasant with rare instances of mercury rising up or dropping down below the acceptable mark. Monsoons too are not very harsh and thus the tourists do not have to worry about planning their visit to this ancient town during a specific period.
The tourists can stay at one of the many hotels and resorts in Aurangabad or the traveller’s bungalow or State guest house. Tourists are also advised to take some time out to visit the famous Ellora Caves, located at a distance of approximately 6.5 kilometres from the city.
How to Reach
The city of Khuldabad is located at a distance of around 22 kilometres from the city of Aurangabad. Aurangabad enjoys nice connectivity with many parts of the state through road, rail, and air transport and with many other states of the country as well. International tourists wishing to visit Khuldabad must board a flight for Pune airport, the closest international airport to Aurangabad. Alternately, tourists may also opt for a flight to any other international airport in India and then reach Aurangabad through any transportation method that seems appropriate according to the budget, weather and preference.
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