By IANS
Mumbai : Thousands of people from across India and abroad visited Aurangzeb’s memorial in Khultabad Saturday, 400 km from here, to mark the former Mughal emperor’s 300th death anniversary.
Aurangzeb’s death anniversary falls on the 27th of Zilquad, the 11th month in the Islamic Hijri calendar.
“As per the will of emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, he has been buried in the premises of the dargah (tomb) of his spiritual guru, Hazrat Syed Zainuddin Baiiskhwaja,” said Abdul Hai, president of Mutawllis and Poojaris association.
The tomb of his wife – known as Bibi Ka Maqbara – is about 25 km from here.
Prince Yakub Mohammed Habibuddin Tusi and his family members have also arrived in Khultabad to pay homage to their illustrious forefather. About 100,000 people visited the city Saturday to pay homage. The local authorities had declared the day as a holiday.
On the occasion, over 1,400-palanquins arrived from Delhi and other parts of northern India to pay homage. Over 2,000 beggars and poor people were served lunch, said Hai.
The Khultabad dargah also houses a rare copy of the Holy Qu’ran, handwritten by Aurangzeb, which is opened for public display only on special occasions.
Aurangzeb, who jailed his own father Shahjahan in one of the minarets of Taj Mahal, spent a few years of his life re-writing holy Islamic scriptures, weaving caps and praying.
The city of Aurangabad also has two world heritage sites, Ajanta and Ellora.