Aurangabad, Bihar

Aurangabad is sometimes called the "Chittorgarh of Bihar" because of its large Rajput population of the Suryavanshi lineage. Since the first Indian general elections in 1952, Aurangabad has only ever elected Rajput representatives.[2]

In ancient times, Aurangabad was located in the Mahajanapada kingdom of Magadh (1200 - 322 BCE). The ancient rulers of the town included Bimbisara (late 5th century BCE), Ajatashatru (early 4th century BCE), Chandragupta Maurya (321 - 298 BCE) and Ashoka (268 - 232 BCE).

During the rule of Sher Shah Suri (1486 - 1545 CE), Aurangabad became strategically important as part of the Rohtas Sirkar (district). After the death of Sher Shah Suri, Aurangabad fell under the rule of Akbar. The Afghan upsurge in the area was suppressed by Todar Mal. Some elements of Afghan architecture remain.

After the downfall of the Mughal Empire, Aurangabad was ruled by the zamindars- wealthy landowners, including those of Deo Raj, Kutumba, Mali, Pawai, Chandragarh, and Siris. The zamindars resisted British rule. For example, Fateh Narayan Singh of Deo Raj, a Mewari Sisodia rajput, supported Kunwar Singh against the British.

In 1865, Bihar District was separated from Patna District. Aurangabad was made a subdivision of Bihar district. Stement was the first subdivisional officer of Aurangabad subdivision. The first Member of Parliament from the district was the former Chief Minister of Unified Bihar, Satyendra Narayan Singh (Chhote Saheb).[3]

On 26 January 1973, Aurangabad district, Bihar, was created (government notification number 07/11-2071-72 dated 19 January 1973). K. A. H. Subramanyam was the first district magistrate and Surjit Kumar Saha was the sub-divisional officer.

Aurangabad town is located in north east India on the NH 2 now NH19 (Grand Trunk Road) at its crossing with NH98 now NH139. Its nearest large town is Gaya 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the east. The capital of Bihar, Patna is 140 kilometres (87 mi) to the north east. Two major riverbed crossings through the district:- 1. Sone River 2. Punpun River

The area of the town is 89 square kilometres (34 sq mi).[4]

Aurangabad rests on alluvial plain[5] on the bank of Adri river. The larger son river is 26 kilometres (16 mi) to the west. Other rivers such as the Punpun, Auranga, Bataane, Morhar, and Madaar flow through Aurangabad district.

Aurangabad has an agrarian economy. It lies in a drought-prone area. The main crops are rice, wheat, gram lentil and rapeseed.[6] With rapid industrialisation, Aurangabad has secured 4th position in most improved districts by Niti Aayog. It mainly includes heavy electricity production industries like Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Plant which has a capacity of 4380 MW(660MWX6).It is one of the third largest power plants in India.On 6th sep 2019, the power plant commissioned the first 660 MW unit of 4380 MW . (NTPC, Nabinagar) and Cement Production (Shree Cement). Manufactured products include carpets, blankets and brassware. Auranagabad is also famous for strawberry cultivation which helps local farmers to boost their economy and generates jobs for the villagers, who no longer need to migrate in search of livelihood.[7][8][9]

As of 2011 India census, Aurangabad had a population of 102,244.[1]

Aurangabad is well connected by road and train. Anugraha Narayan Road railway station (AUBR) is the nearest railway station, about 11 km away from Aurangabad city. The major highways are NH-19 and NH-139. NH-19 directly connects Delhi and Kolkata city and NH-139 connects Patna via Daudnagar. There is direct train to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Nagpur, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Jammu, Haridwar, Lucknow, Pune, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Varanasi, Patna and Ranchi.

The nearest airport is Gaya International Airport, which is 80 km away from the city centre and Patna Airport which is 136 km away from city centre. The main superfast train stops at Anugrah Narayan Road station.

1. Purshottam Express 12801/02
2. Poorva Express 12381/82
3. Mumbai Mail 12321/22
4. Mahabodhi Express 12397/98
5. Jodhpur Express 12307/08
6. Gaya Garibrath Express 22409/10
7. Dikshabhoomi Express 11045/46
8. Jaisalmer Express 12371/72
9. Shipra Express 22911/12
10. Jharkhand Express 12817/18
11. Parsnath SF Express 12941/42
12. Ranchi Mumbai express 18609/18610

• Anugrah Narayan Singh, Member Constituent Assembly of India and first Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar[10][11]
• Satyendra Narayan Sinha, first Member of parliament and former Chief Minister of Bihar
• Sushil Kumar Singh, Member of the Parliament of India
• Nikhil Kumar, former MP and former Governor of Kerala[12]

• Gaya district
• Deo Town
• Deo Fort