Maharashtra Issues Notification On Name Change Of Aurangabad, Osmanabad

The Maharashtra government has issued an official notification regarding the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv, respectively. Following a period during which suggestions and objections were sought several months ago, the decision to change these names at various levels, including sub-division, village, taluka, and district, has been finalized. This notification has been issued by the Revenue Department of the state.

The Background

The decision to rename ‘Aurangabad’ and ‘Osmanabad’ to ‘Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’ and ‘Dharashiv,’ respectively, was initially made during the last cabinet meeting of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. This decision, taken on June 29, 2022, was chaired by the then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, just before he resigned from office following a rebellion led by Eknath Shinde.

The Significance of the Renaming

Aurangabad, a historic city in Maharashtra, derived its name from the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Similarly, Osmanabad was named after a 20th-century ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad. The decision to rename ‘Aurangabad’ as ‘Sambhajinagar’ carries historical and cultural significance. Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the eldest son of the renowned warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the second ruler of the Maratha state established by his father. His execution on Aurangzeb’s orders in 1689 remains a significant chapter in Maratha history.

Marathwada’s Historical Significance

Marathwada, once a part of the Nizam-ruled Hyderabad kingdom, comprises eight districts: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad), Jalna, Beed, Latur, Nanded, Hingoli, and Parbhani. The region holds significant historical and cultural importance, making the renaming decision and the subsequent developments crucial aspects of Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Development Initiatives in Marathwada

In conjunction with the renaming, Minister Eknath Shinde announced a substantial package of Rs 45,000 crore for the development of the Marathwada region. Additionally, revised administrative sanctions were revealed for irrigation projects worth Rs 14,000 crore.