With palaces and pavilions crowning the massive granite outcrop, the medieval fortress of Daulatabad girdled by six kilometers of black crumbling walls, meets the eye like a mirage, shimmering in the torrid heat ; haunting the memory of centuries gone by.
But it was Aurangzeb as Viceroy of the Deccan who decided to shift his capital from Daulatabad to Aurangabad. Soon the ancient city lost its importance. Lying 15 kms from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, ancient Devagiri or Daulatabad was a flourishing city 800 years ago, founded by Bhillamraja of the Yadava dynasty in 1187 A.D. Less than 150 years later, the citadel enjoyed a brief glory of becoming the capital of India under Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughluk who changed its name from Devagiri to Daulatabad.