- 41 -

Chapter II

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Location and Boundaries

2.3 Historical Background

2.4 Physiography

2.5 Geology and Soil

2.6 Drainage Pattern

2.7 Climate

Physical Setting of the Region

- 42 -

Chapter II

Physical Setting of the Region

2.1 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. Early urban civilizations developed in the river

valleys like the Nile, the Indus, the Tigris-Euphrates, and the Ho-

wang-Ho. Egypt had earlier beginning and was the crossroad of

ancient world civilization before four thousand B.C.

The Nile valley as well as the upper belt of Sinai Penisula

gave impetus to the contemporary urban civilization. Thebes, Giza,

Memphis Karnak were some of the known cities of this civilization.

Urban culture of the Indus valley according to wheeler flourished

during 2500-1500 B.C. with its prime centre Mohenjo-Daro, where

presence of copper and bronze affected the way of life. Mohenjo-

Daro and Harappa were two metro cities of the Indus Empire.

Mesopotamia forms the Doab of Tigris and Euphrates rivers

where a fertile belt, also known as 'Fertile Crescent' save rise to

empires known as Sumerian, Babylonian, Asoyrian and Chidian,

Mumford described the Doab as 'Magnetic Container' where water

from all direction inflow to enrich it. Urban centres like Nippur,

- 43 -

Khurasbad came into being to give rise to commerce, industry,

irrigation and civic administration.

In the classical period Athens, Greece was the best known

city. Athens has its roots from the bronze ages, but gradually

gained prominence from the 5th century 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.

Haridwar, Varanasi, Pandharpur, Paithan, Tuljapur, Allahabad,

Kanyakumari, Madurai, Tirupati etc. have come into being

predominantly because of religious activities.

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, Patliputra, Vijayanagar, Aurangabad,

Agra, Bijapur, Golkonda etc. are some of the examples representing

their political origin. After independence, the new state capitals like

Chandigarh, Gandhinagar, Dispur, Deharadun, Raypur, Mumbai

etc. came into origin because of the political need.

Griffith Taylor has introduced the cyclic characteristics of

- 44 -

urban development. Town reaches the end stage of one cycle with

the decay of previous civilization which begins a new life with the

imposition of a new civilization.

The origin of towns may be caused by various factors which

are in action for its site, location, boundaries, situation and

development. The process of urbanization is highly related to the

geographical location of a region. Physical setting of the region,

historical background and socio-economics conditions greatly

affects the growth and development of urbanization. So, this

chapter is devoted to the study of geographical, historical

characteristics of Aurangabad city.

2.2 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.

Aurangabad is situated on the Kham river in the Dudhana

valley between the Lakenvara Hills on the north and and the

Satara hills on the South. The valley has a general breadth of

about 10 miles is open towards the east, but on the west the

northern range deflects and curves in towards the city sending

spur close upon its suburbs. Thus the city occupies very uneven

geographical area i.e.138.5 Sq. KM.

- 4

5 -

Map

2.1

- 46 -

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. The

government elections are also conducted on the same basis. Each

zone has a separate office to facilitate the citizens in its

jurisdiction. The detail of each zone is shown below:

Zone Ward No. Area Covered

1 Harsool

4 Wankhedenagar N-13

5 Asifiya Colony Dilras Colony 6 Begumpura

7 Bhavsingpura

8 Padegaon

9 Shantipura

10 Jaisinghpura

11 Bhadkalgate 12 Ghati Parisar Asifiya Colony

13 Vishwasnagar

30 Harshnagar

31 Lotakaranja Chelipura

32 Kabadipura, Chowk, Buddhilane

34 Khadkeshwar

A

35 Kotwalpura

2 Mayur Park, Jadhav Wadi

3 Yadhavnagar N - 11

14 Roza Bagh

15 Swami Vivekanandanagar

16 Mayur Nagar, Sudarshannagar 17 Shrikrishnanagar

18 Pawannagar

19 Shivneri Colony, Mhada Colony

20 Ambedkarnagar

21 Misarwadi Naregaon

22 Naregaon 24 M. I. D. C. Chikalthana

25 Ayodhyanagar

26 Ganeshnagar

47 N - 6 Cidco

48 Avishkar Colony

B

49 Gulmohar Colony, Satayam Nagar

- 47 -

Zone Ward No. Area Covered

27 Shatabdi Nagar

28 Nehrunagar

29 Ganesh Colony

40 Nawabpura

41 Shahbazar

42 Roshangate Maqsood Colony

43 Sharif Colony

44 Kiradpura

45 Rehmaniya Colony

46 Altamash Colony

51 Indira Nagar (S) Baijipura

52 Indira Nagar (N) Baijipura

53 Bari Colony

54 Sanjay Nagar

55 Kaisar Colony

56 Sanjay Nagar, Jinci

C

57 Bhawani Nagar

33 Gulmandi

36 Nageshwarwadi, Bhoiwada

37 Aurangpura, Paithangate

38 Gandhinagar

39 Rajabazar

58 Kailasnagar

59 Ajabnagar, Khokadpura

60 Sillekhana

61 Samarthnagar

62 Kotla Colony

63 Kokanwadi

64 Krantichowk

65 Ramnagar

91 Osmanpura

94 Bansilalnagar

D

95 Padampura

- 48 -

Zone Ward No. Area Covered

23 Masnatpur, Chikalthana

70 Vidhyanagar

71 Nayanagar

72 N - 3, N - 4, Cidco

73 S. T. Colony, N - 2, Cidco

74 Dnyaneshwar Colony, Mukundwadi

75 Sanjay Nagar, Mukundwadi

76 Ramnagar

77 Kamgar Colony, Vithalnagar

78 Chikalthana

79 Mukundwadi

80 Ambikanagar, Mukundwadi

81 Jaibhawaninagar, Cidco

82 Bharatnagar, Matoshrinagar, Garkheda

83 Pundliknagar

E

84 Kalpataru Colony, Balkrishnanagar

50 Surananagar

66 Shivshankar Colony

67 Boudhnagar, Uttamnagar

68 Vishnunagar

69 Jawahar Colony

85 Garkheda

86 Priyadarshani, Indiranagar

87 Ulkanagari

88 Jaivishwabharati Colony

89 Jyotinagar

90 Eknathnagar

92 Kabirnagar

93 Vedantnagar

96 Hamalwada Rly. Station

97 Banewadi

F

98 Nakshtrawadi

- 49 -

Zonewise map 2.2

- 50 -

Wardwise map 2.3

- 51 -

2.3 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.

- 52 -

The city has world famous 'Bibi Ka Makabara' a replica of

Tajmahal, 'Panchakki' a system of water supply that also run a

Chakki to grind, Soneri Mahal, and very old Buddhist caves along

with navkhanda Palace, Kileark, Gulshan Palace etc. It also has

Supari Hanuman at Gulmandi, Jama Masjid, Kali Masjid,

Shahaganj Masjid etc. Around Aurangabad are Daulatabad which

has Devgiri fort, world heritage sites of Ajantha and Ellora caves

and Paithan, the capital of the Satavahanas kingdom for its rich

hertage, history has put Aurangabad's name on the tourist map of

the world with prominence.

Aurangabad city was the part of Hyderabad state and was

ruled by Nizam in British period. Aurangabad was headquarter of

the subha (region) comprising of five districts known as

Marathwada in Nizam period. It became a part of India in 1949.

Aurangabad formed part of the Hyderabad state until 1956 after

which it was transferred to Bombay state. In 1960 when

Maharashtra state was formed it became an integral part of the

state and the divisional head quarter of the Aurangabad region.

One of the six divisional headquarter of Maharashtra state.

The importance of the city increased with the passage of the

time. City became an educational centre for backward Marathwada

region after establishment of Marathwada University in 1958,

which later renamed as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada

University in 1993. On 27th August 1981, High Court was

established in Aurangabad. Thereafter city has commanded more

and more area under its influence.

- 53 -

State Government has promoted industrialization in the city

since 1961. City has two industrial estates within municipal

corporation area, third large industrial estate at Waluj MIDC area,

7 KM away from the city and the fourth states MIDC at Shendra,

10 KM away from the city on Jalna road. Industrial areas played

an important role in the development of Aurangabad city.

Tourism is also a major economic activity of the city as place

of significant historical importance like great for of Daulatabad,

Grave of Aurangazeb, caves of Ajantha and Ellora are located not

far away from the city. Transpiration facilities also played a vital

role in the development of the city. Aurangabad is well connected

with Mumbai, the state capital, Delhi, the national capital and

other important places by air, road and railway. The city is located

on Hyderabad-Manmad-Mumbai broad guage railway line of south

central railway. There is a national airport in the city at

Chikalthana. Aurangabad city is also famous for its "Himroo"

handloom industry.

2.4 Physiography:

Physiography of Aurangabad city is shown in topographical

map 2.4. (Toposheet No.47 M/5) Aurangabad city is surrounded by

the Vindhya hilly ranges from north, south and west sides.

Northern side municipal limits are flanked by Jathwada hill

ranges. On the south side, Satara hill ranges are located while

entering the city from south-west side; the curvilinear entry keeps

the eye moving along the interesting skyline created on account of

surrounding hill rages. Some of the hilly landforms like hillocks are

found near the village limits of Tisgaon.

- 5

4 -

A

ura

ngab

ad C

ity

Top

osh

eet

(No.4

7 M

/5)

Map

2.4

- 55 -

North side hill range start from village boundaries of Mitmita

and extends towards the village limits of Harsool and Jathwada

hills. Other hills are located at eastern side of Nakshatrawadi

which have a great potential of beauty where WALMI is located.

Amkhas Maidan is surrounded by the profile of uplands from north

side. The city is located on the Deccan Plateau. The river Kham

passes through the city. The city stands in the Dudhana valley.

The valley has a general breadth of about 10 miles and it is open

towards the east. Low lying area is found in the central part of the

city. The whole city is located on uneven ground

2.5 Geology and Soil:

Systematic geological work has not been carried out in the

city and surrounding area. The information presented here is

based on the short dealing with ground water and local geology.

The geological information of the city is characterized by the

Deccan traps from upper cretaceous to lower Eocene. The granite

rocks have given rise to red as well as black cotton soils. Major

part of the city has deep black soil derived from the trap rock. A

mixture laterite and black soil is encountered in the eastern parts

together with sandy soil along river banks. Most of the hill tops are

bare or covered with coarse gravel while low-lying area

accumulates clay and loam. The massive basalt is a dark to black

rock having very small to medium grained texture. The sculpture

has very carefully avoided the massive trap flows while carrying the

caves at Aurangabad. Minerals of economic importance are not

reported in the city.

- 56 -

2.6 Drainage Pattern :

Drainage can be defined as the naturally occurring channeled

flow formed by the streams and rivers. The drainage network is

strongly influences on geological structure.

Table 2.1

River and Stream in Aurangabad City

Sr. No.�

River / Stream�Length in

KM�

1� Kham river � 10.20�

2� Kham river from Himayat Bag to Harsool dam � 3.08�

3� Nalla from Maqbara � 4.03�

4� Nalla from Itkheda to Kanchanwadi� 1.96�

5� Nalla from MGM College to Sidharth Garden � 5.01�

6�Stream from Jalgaon road to Varad Ganesh Mandir �

5.76�

7�Nalla from new Shantiniketan to Beed bypass road �

2.72�

8� Nalla from High court to Kanchanwadi� 6.50�

9� Nalla in N-2 Sector � 2.65�

10� Nalla in N-3, N-4, N-5 sector � 1.68�

11� Nalla in N-7 sector � 1.35�

12� Nalla in N-9 sector � 0.55�

13� Nalla in N-9 sector � 0.60�

14� Nalla in N-11 sector � 1.55�

15� Nalla in N-12 sector � 1.04�

16� Nalla from Satara area near railway line � 0.67�

17� River Sukhana � 7.50�

Source: Drainage Department, Aurangabad Municipal Council.

- 57 -

drainage Map

Map 2.5

- 58 -

Map 2.5 shows the drainage pattern of the Aurangabad city.

The city is situated on the bank of the Kham River and its

tributaries. The river Kham is the tributary of Godavari. The course

length of the river, Kham, in the city is 10.20 KM. The river

Sukhana is another river which flows through the city. There are

14 major Nallas or streams passes through the city. Nalla from

MGM College to Sidhartha Garden, Kham river from Himayat bag

to Harsool dam, Stream from Itkheda to Kanchanwadi, stream

from Jalgaon road to Varad Ganesh Mandir, stream from High

Court to Kanchanwadi, stream from Bibi ka Maqbara and Nalla

from N-2 Sector are the important streams flow through the city.

Harsool talab and Delhi Gate Talab are the primary source of water

in the city.

2.7 Climate:

Climate is one of the important factors which directly and

indirectly affect the human activities. Of all the geographical

influence to which man is subjected. Climate seems to be the most

potent. It is an influence that no individual or race can escape. On

land or sea, or plain or mountains, in primitive and civilized

societies man must face the climate of its own terms. In a large

measure climate determines, where man may live and thrive? What

types of home he may appropriately build? What sort of clothing he

may wear? And what pests and diseases must combat?12

The climate of Aurangabad city is on the whole dry except

during the monsoon season. The year may be divided into four

seasons. The cold season is from December to February and host

season from March to May. June to September is southwest

- 59 -

monsoon period whereas October to November is post monsoon

period. Sometimes Aurangabad city observed stormy wind with

heavy shower and hail too. There is a meterological observatory

located at Chikalthana in Aurangabad city to study the weather

phenomenon.

2.7.1 Temperature:

Temperature is one of the most influential climatic factors

which affect the environmental condition and human activities of

any place.13 Temperature conditions have become erratic from year

to year in the city. May is the hottest month in the city with the

mean daily maximum temperature 390C and mean daily minimum

temperature 24.20C. During the hot season the day temperature

may rise to about 450C. There is appreciable drop in both the day

and night temperature and weather become pleasant by the

starting of southwest monsoon. With the withdrawal of the

southwest monsoon about the end of September the day

temperatures increases to some extent. Day temperature is

secondary maximum in October but night temperature decreases

progressively. After October both, the day and night temperatures

decrease steadily.

Cold weather commences by the end of November and

temperature begins to fall rapidly. December is the coldest month

with the mean daily maximum temperature of 28.40C and the

mean daily minimum temperature of 11.90C. In the cold season the

city is sometimes affected by cold waves when the minimum

temperature may drop to about 40C.

- 60 -

Table 2.2

Average Monthly Temperature and Relative Humidity in

Aurangabad City

Month�Maximum

Temperature in 0C�

Minimum Temperature in

0C�

Relative Humidity in

%�

January� 28.8� 13.5� 64.6�

February� 30.3� 13.2� 57.0�

March� 35.6� 19.4� 60.8�

April� 37.7� 22.2� 54.5�

May� 39.0� 24.2� 64.0�

June� 33.1� 21.6� 84.4�

July� 29.8� 21.3� 88.0�

August� 29.0� 21.1� 91.0�

September� 29.5� 21.7� 90.0�

October� 31.6� 16.7� 73.0�

November� 30.2� 14.2� 69.5�

December� 28.4� 11.9� 72.7

Source: 1) WALMI, Aurangabad

2) Computed by Author.

- 61 -

Au

ran

gab

ad

City

Te

mp

era

ture

an

d H

um

idit

y

0

20

40

60

80

100

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Mo

nth

020

40

Hum

idity

Tem

pera

ture

Temperature in 0C

Humidity In %

Gra

ph

2.1

- 62 -

2.7.2 Humidity

Humidity is one of the prominent elements of weather. It

plays a significant role in changing the climatic conditions of any

region. Humidity, in fact is a state of atmosphere with respect to

the gases form of vapor.

In Aurangabad city the air is generally dry except during the

monsoon when the relative humidity is ranges from 80% to 90%.

The summer months are the driest when the relative humidity is

observed generally 20% to 25% in the afternoon. About 64% to

73% relative humidity is found in winter season. 73.3% average

annual relative humidity is observed in the city.

2.7.3 Rainfall :

Precipitation includes rainfall, snow, hail, fog, dew etc. Out of

these rainfall is the major signal weather element which influence

the place of locality. Rain is the cheapest source of water in the

study area.

The co-efficient of rainfall variability is calculated by the

following formula:

SD

CRV = ---------------------- X 100

X

Where CRV = Co-efficient of rainfall variability.

SD = Standard Deviation of rainfall

X = Mean of the rainfall.

- 63 -

Table 2.3

Annual Rainfall of Aurangabad City from 1983 to 2008

Sr. No.�

Year�Rainfall in

MM�Sr. No.�

Years�Rainfall in

MM�

1� 1983� 942� 14� 1996� 819�

2� 1984� 445� 15� 1997� 769�

3� 1985� 414� 16� 1998� 1132�

4� 1986� 456� 17� 1999� 722�

5� 1987� 758� 18� 2000� 831�

6� 1988� 1034� 19� 2001� 694�

7� 1989� 828� 20� 2002� 649�

8� 1990� 1096� 21� 2003� 635�

9� 1991� 869� 22� 2004� 493�

10� 1992� 672� 23� 2005� 896�

11� 1993� 789� 24� 2006� 1159�

12� 1994� 628� 25� 2007� 787�

13� 1995� 483� 26� 2008� 613

Source: Computed by the investigator

- 64 -

Au

ran

ga

ba

d C

ity

Ra

infa

ll (Fro

m 1

99

0 to

20

08

)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Ye

ar

Rainfall in MM

Gra

ph

2.2

- 65 -

The average annual rainfall recorded in the Aurangabad city

is 753.58 mm during the period of investigation (1983 to 2008).

About 83% of annual rainfall in the city is received during the

south west monsoon. Maximum rain is experienced in the month

of July. There are two peaks of rainfall in the city. The first peak is

in July and the second in September. Some amount of rainfall

occurs during May while the months of October and November are

on average there are 46 rainy days observed in the city and there is

large variation in the annual rainfall from year to year.

Annual rainfall received at Aurangabad city during the period

of 1983 to 2008 is given in the table 2.2. Graph 2.3 shows the

annual (ups and downs) variation in the rainfall of the city. The

lowest rainfall (414 mm) received in 1985 where as the highest

rainfall (1159 mm) received in 2006 in the city. Out of 26 years

rainfall received in 12 years below the average and 14 years above

the average. The mean annual rainfall of the city is 753.58 mm.

The standard deviation of rainfall of the city is 781.28mm. The co-

efficient of rainfall variability of the city is 103.67

2.7.4 Wind Direction:

Winds are generally light to moderate with an increase in

speed during the latter half of the hot season and in the monsoon

season during the period of June to September, October to

January, and February to May. Wind directions are observed from

west, east and west respectively.

It has been observed that about 54.9% days wind blows from

west direction followed by south west 20.6% in rainy season. The

- 66 -

wind coming from south east direction is only 0.4% during rainy

season. About 35.1% days wind blows from east direction in winter

where as only 3.4% wind blows from south direction in this season.

In summer season 28.6% days wind blows from west direction and

only 4.0% wind blows from south direction during this season. On

the whole 33% days wind blows from west direction in Aurangabad

city and only 3% wind blows from south direction in the city.

References:

1. Perspective Plan 2001-04, Part I and II Dist.

Aurangabad,p.15

2. District Census Handbook of Aurangabad 2001,p.11

3. Gazetteers of India Maharashtra State Aurangabad District

1991 p.15

4. Census of India (1991):Maharashtra Series 14, Aurangabad

District, p.15

5. Gazetteer of India Maharashtra State Aurangabad District

1969, p.15

6. Jashbir Singh and S.S. Dhillon (1995):Agricultural

Geography Tata MC Graw Hill Publishing Company Ltd New

Delhi, p.87

7. Langbein W.B and J.V Wells (1955): The Water In The River

And Creeks The United States Department of Agriculture

Year Book New Delhi Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., p.52

8. Estall R.C and Buchanan (1980): Industrial Activity and

Economic Geography Hutchinson and Co. Ltd. London, pp-

23-24

- 67 -

9. Singh Jasbir and S. S.Dhillon (1995):Agricultural Geography

Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishing Co Delhi p.76

10. Trewartha, G.T. (1969) : A Geography of Population, World

Pattern, John Willey, New York,p.228

11. Franklin, S.H. (1956) : The Pattern of Sex Ratio in New

Zealand, Economic Geography, Vol. 32

12. Srivastava S.C. (2004) : Studies in Demography, Anmol

Publication, Delhi,p.44

13. Census of India : Census Centenary Publication No. 5, ORG

Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi , pp.122-125.

14. Socio-Economic Review and District Statistical Abstract of

Aurangabad District 2006, p.121

15. Gazetteer of India, Maharashtra State Aurangabad District,

1977 p.1018.

16. www.aurangabad.nic.in

*_*_*_*_*