Maharashtra Town with Aurangzeb’s Tomb to Be Renamed Ratnapur, Minister Announces

Maharashtra’s Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat has revealed plans to rename Khultabad, home to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb, as Ratnapur. Located 25 kilometers from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, the town’s name change reverses a shift from Aurangzeb’s era. Shirsat, a Shiv Sena leader, and others have long pushed to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb, citing his role in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s execution.

Speaking to reporters, Shirsat said Khultabad was originally Ratnapur before Mughal rule altered it, much like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was once Khadki, later becoming Aurangabad. “We’re restoring names changed under Aurangzeb,” he stated, noting a broader effort to erase “undesirable” titles. The government also plans a memorial in Khultabad to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj.