Fort of Ausa :
The old name of Ausa town was the same as 'Ausa'. But Malik Amber approximately in 1014 ( Hijri) changed the name to Ambarpur. After some years it has come to know as Amrapur. But it again became 'Ausa'. It is mentioned in the 'Shilalkeh' of 13 th century that the Yadav family ruled Ausa and there were so many Jain temples. There is an old fort south to Ausa city. It is situated in a sheet area. There are so many khandakas around this fort. Most part of the fort is now ruined
Ausa city is the taluka place and major town in Ausa taluka. The area of Ausa city is 39 sq.km. The population of Ausa town in 30863 out of which 15869 are male and 14994 are female. The density of the population of Ausa town is 5961 per sq. kilometers. The literacy rate in this town is 64 03 percent
The climate of this town is hot and dry The annual average temperature is 31°c Geographically this town is located in the Balaghat plateau region. The region around it is comparatively high There is no forest area in this town. It is mentioned that this place is a product of volcanic eruptions.
The center of attraction is a huge historical fort covering a little over five hectares (13 acres) in the area and lying 3 21 km (2 miles) due south of the inhabited locality. The fort featured prominently in the conflicts between the Deccan sultanates in the post-Buhamani period. In later days it was captured by Malik Ambar in 1014. Hijri and was renamed by him as Ambarapur which was later changed to Ambarapur The fort is situated in a depression surrounded by high ground on all sides So that from its highest point one can have a view of the approaching armies even at a great distance while the main parts of the fort remain hidden from the latter Almost square in shape. The fort has a moat or khandak (ditch) around nearly 36 58 m( 120 ft) in width. Now nearly dry some parts of it being used for washing and bathing and some for growing crops There are some abraded Nagari inscriptions fitted into the stone masonry of the guard rooms. One of them records the name of Murtaza Nizam Sah and the date 1529. Besides the other buildings, there is the usual Pani Mahal in a ruined condition quite a few large walls now unused a mosque, and a dargah. It is also believed that there is an underground passage, big enough to allow an elephant to pass leading from the fort to a commanding hillock named Sultan tekadi. only 321 km (2 miles) off
The City is well connected by the bus service and other services to Latur town. The transport services are also provided by other private means like jeeps, luxury, and buses. The facility of a city bus is also available in this city. There is a highway tar road between Latur and Ausa. One has to use a small tar road to reach the fort from the bus stand. The buses to Ausa are available per five or ten minutes. There is no railway facility to Ausa town.
Tap water supply is provided here Hand pumps are also playing important role in providing drinking water supply Water supply in Ausa town is not sufficient for Ausa city. This water supply lacks in fulfilling the needs of the people and tourists The Government hear not well managed a suitable sewage system where is filth and loath dirt found around the fort. People throw the west material and loathe some dirt near their houses. The beauty of the fort is spoiled because of this loathsome material. The atmosphere near the fort has become very unhygienic. In the rainy season, this place becomes dirt. The electricity has been supplied in the near part of the fort The electricity supply is very good in this town. But in the fort, there is no use of electricity supply to attract the tourist. During the day and night, the electricity supply is distributed many times. The Government should think about these problems It should stop cleaning the fort campus and create a suitable drainage system
One can use a bicycle or an auto rikshaw to reach the Ausa fort from the bus stand. The road used to reach the fort is in very bad condition. It is very narrow. Both sides of the road are full of filth and dust. There is no parking facility any were near the fort
In case of accommodation, the tourist can live in Lodges and the Mathas. But the facilities like phone, lavatory, food, etc are found better in Lodges than the Mathas. There are 10-12 medium hotels and tea cantinas in the town. Where a meal of medium quality is available. There are 10 to 15 lodges in Ausa town but they provided medium facilities compared to Latur town.
The mean of entertainment and recreational facilities are limited in Ausa. There are no Cinema theatres or gardens. There is only one video center but the facilities provided here is not good. The municipal council of Ausa should concentrate on creating new entertainment facilities like cinema theaters, gardens, parks, hotels, etc. Also, it should try to clean the campus near for to provide parking facilities. Municipal Council should try to enlarge the road which goes to the fort electricity should be used to decorate the fort.
By providing all these facilities we certainly are not able to re-establish the past glory of the Fort of Ausa but we can definitely maintain the beauty of the fort and make known it as an important tourist center in the Latur district.
