28 February, 2023: Places in Maharashtra are being renamed ? Who wants these cities to be renamed and the history behind it ? Read to know more.
According to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Aurangabad in Maharashtra will now be known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv.
Since when was this issue raised ?
Mr. Bal Thackeray, addressed as Hindu Hriday Samrat (Emperor of Hindu Hearts) by his supporters, the founder of the political party, Shiv Sena, raised the issue of renaming Aurangabad and Osmanabad for the first time, and it has been discussed in state politics ever since. Before Uddhav Thackeray resigned as chief minister in June 2022 as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi administration, the proposed plan was presented in a cabinet meeting.
Since then, the Centre has not made a decision about the case. The request was authorized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which also stated that the central government had "no objection" to renaming any of Maharashtra's two districts.
What did the court say ?
The Maharashtra government was asked by the Bombay High Court if it had sought opinions and objections before deciding to rename the cities of Aurangabad and Osmanabad in the state.
A division bench consisting of Justice Sandeep Marne and Acting Chief Justice S V Gangapurwala ordered the Union government to reveal whether the state government has filed any proposals for the name change to it.
What is the history behind it ?
Aurangabad : Previously known as Khadki, Aurangabad was constructed in 1610 by Malik Ambar of the Nizam Shahi dynasty. It was eventually given the new name Aurangabad after serving as Aurangzeb's [ sixth emperor of the Mughal empire] administrative center during his reign over the Deccan.
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb killed Chhatrapati Sambahji Maharaj, son of the Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Aurangabad.
Shiv Sena leader, the late Bal Thackeray, declared that the city would be renamed Sambhajinagar when the party moved outside of the Mumbai-Thane region and won the local council elections in 1988.
The city of Osmanabad gets its name from the last king of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan.
The last king of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, gave his name to the city of Osmanabad.
Osmanabad: Osmanabad has a long history that goes back to the Marathwada era and even earlier to numerous empires that the area was a part of. The geographical location set aside for the Marathi-speaking people was originally referred to as the Marathwada entry point.
Prior to becoming Osmanabad, it was known as Dharashiv, probably because of the nearby Dharashiv Caves.
Many dynasties have ruled this region. The Mauryas, Rastrakutas, Shatavahanas, Chalukyas, Yadavas, Bahmani, Adil Shahi, Marathas, Nizams, and the British have ruled over it.
“Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar" of Aurangabad, 'Dharashiv' of Osmanabad! The central government approves the decision of the state government! Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and Union Minister Hon. Many thanks to Amitbhai Shah! The government under the leadership of Chief Minister @mieknathshindeji has 'demonstrated'!” Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis tweeted.
