Introduction

Aurangabad District is among the thirty eight districts of Bihar. Aurangabad Town is the districts headquarter. Aurangabad District is a part of the Magadha Division in Bihar. The district of Aurangabad is known to have played a very important role in the freedom struggle of India.

History of Aurangabad District

The district of Aurangabad in Bihar has an ancient history of its own. In fact the mention of the district can be found both in the Treta Yuga and in the Dwapara Ages. The district has been closely associated with the Hindu custom of Pinda Daan because of the presence of the PunPun River or Ardha Ganga River in the region. Even it is believed that sage Bhrigu had practised his penance in the present district of Aurnagbad.

The district of Aurangabad claims to have been ruled by eminent kings of India like Bimbisara, Ajatshatru, Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya. The region had been ruled by some eminent kings because Aurangabad had been a part of the Magadha and Magadha had contributed greatly to the history of entire India. Aurangabad had also come under the control of Mughal rulers. After the Mughal rulers the region of Aurangabad had come under the rule of the zamindars and during the freedom struggle of the country Aurangabad had played an important role.

Geography of Aurangabad District

This district lies between 24.75 degrees north and 84.37 degrees east. The district encompasses an area of 3305 square kilometres. As per the geographical boundary of the district is concerned, to the East of the district lies Gaya, to the west, Rohtas, to the south, Palamu of the Jharkhand province and to the North is Arwal. Aurangabad experiences a tropical climate. The rivers and hills of Aurangabad are filled with precious raw materials like minerals and valuable stones. According to the census of 2001 Aurangabad District has a total population of 20, 35,757. There is a marked difference in the number of males and females in the district of Aurangabad. It has around 71.95 percent males and only 42.04 percent females. Literacy rate of the region is quite impressive. It is around 57.5 percent.

Demography of Aurangabad District

According to the Population Census in the Aurangabad District had population of 3,695,928 of which male and female were 1,928,156 and 1,767,772 respectively. Aurangabad District population constituted 3.29 percent of total population of Bihar. The average literacy rate of Aurangabad in 2011 was 80.40 compared to 72.91 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 89.31 and 70.81 respectively. The total literates in Aurangabad District were 2,556,154 of which male and female were 1,472,313 and 1,083,841 respectively.

Culture of Aurangabad District

The district of Aurangabad in Bihar has its special status in the field of literature and culture not only on provincial level but also on the national level. The land of Aurangabad has produced eminent personalities from times immemorial. Various literary personalities of fame belong to the district of Aurangabad.

Education in Aurangabad District

Right from the early day`s education in Aurangabad District of Bihar was largely developed. Even during the times of the rule of Mughal Dynasty and the rule of British East India Company, the system of institutionalized education in the forms of Gurukuls has continued. Before Indian independence also there were several schools which were dedicated towards imparting of quality education to the children of the district.

Economy of Aurangabad District

There exists a lot of economic disparity in the district of Aurangabad. As a result many of the people in the region have got engaged in extremist activities so that they can grab quick money. Economic inequality and illiteracy are the curse of the people of this area. Moreover the region has also been subject to curses like orthodoxy, casteism, fanaticism and superstitions. As a result the entire development of Aurangabad especially the rural development of the area has suffered greatly.

Tourism in Aurangabad District

Aurangabad district in Bihar is home to myriad tourist attractions. Magnificent temples, historical places and Islamic pilgrimage centres are located in the district. Excellent connectivity via road and efficient means of local transport has boosted up the tourism industry in Aurangabad. As a result, the number of tourists visiting the place has increased considerably. The places of interest in Aurangabad District are Deo, Deo Kund, Umga, Amjhar Sharif, Pawai, Mali and Chandangadh, Piru and Sisirs.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Aurangabad District
Religious Tourism of Aurangabad District in Bihar includes Hindu Temples as well as the Muslim centres of pilgrimage. This is because the region of Aurangabad had come under the influence of both Hindu and Muslim kings. The religious places of interest in Aurangabad are Deo, Deo Kund, Umga and Amjhar Sharif.

Deo is home to the well-known Sun temple of Aurangabad District. The 15th century old temple is believed to be built by Bhairvendra Sing, a Chandravanshi king of Umga. It is a 100-ft tall structure, with an umbrella-like top. The important custom of worshipping the Sun God and taking bath in its Brahma Kund dates back to the era of King Ayel. Every year, during Chhath festival, thousands of pilgrims gather in the premises of the temple to worship the Sun God.

Deo Kund is both a religious as well as a historical place of interest. Deo Kund houses an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thousands of worshippers visit this temple during Mahashivratri. As per a legend connected to Deo Kund, Chyawan Rishi took shelter in this temple.

Umga is one of the famous tourist attractions in Aurangabad. The pilgrim center of Umga houses a Vaishnava temple. In terms of its architecture, the temple bears resemblance to the Sun temple built at Deo. Square granite blocks have been used to build the magnificent Vaishnava temple, which houses the deities of Lord Ganesha, Sun God and Lord Shiva.

Amjhar Sharif bears religious significance for being an important Islamic pilgrimage centre of Aurangabad. Amjhar Sharif is abode of an ancient mazaar (grave) of a Muslim saint - Hazrat Saiyadana Mohammad Jilani Amjhari Quadri. Thousands of Muslims visit this pilgrimage center on the anniversary of the great saint, which is held in the first week of June.

Leisure Tourism in Aurangabad District
Aurangabad District has a rich history. Several rulers including the great Ashoka had ruled over the region in the past years. As a result it is evident that the district of Aurangabad also satisfies a tourist who looks for historical places of interest. Some such places of Aurangabad are Pawai, Mali and Chandangadh, Piru and Sisirs.

Rajasthan played a crucial role during the medieval and modern periods of history of Aurangabad. Pawar, Mali and Chandangadh are locations where one can find the remains of old forts, whose princes are said to, have come from Rajasthan.

Piru in the district of Aurangabad also bears historical significance. In the ancient times it was known as Pritikoota. The place is historically important because it was the birthplace of Banbhatta, a legendary poet and the State Chronicler of King Harshvardhana.

Siris, in Aurangabad, was a pargana during the rule of Sher Shah and the Mughal Empire. Over the passing years, the place had become the playground of King Narayan Sing and some unsung heroes of The Revolt of 1857. Siris also houses a mosque, which was built during the rule of Aurangzeb. Thus it can be said that Siris as tourist place has both historical as well as religious importance.