Bibi-ka-Maqbara

The Taj Mahal, the pinnacle of Mughal architecture, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658) in memory of his queen, Arjumand Bano Begum. Inspired by this miracle, Prince Azam Shah, grandson of Emperor Shah Jahan, built a similar tomb. Near Aurangabad, in memory of his mother, between 1651 and 1661.

Bibi-ka-maqbara, as it is called, is the beautiful tomb of Rabia-ul-Daurani, also known as Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (1658-1707 AD). The inscription on the main entrance gate states that it was designed and built by architect Ata-ullah and engineer Hanspat Ray. Although Azam Shah wanted to build a monument entirely of marble, this did not happen because his father Aurangzeb did not support the construction of such an extravagant monument as the Taj, and also prevented the transport of marble from the quarries around Jaipur. Somehow, Azam Shah defeated his father, eventually abdicated, and finally the "Taj Dina" was built, although a pathetic imitation, which is why it is also known as the Poor Man's Taj!

It is built on a raised square platform with four minarets at the forefront and is surrounded by marble to the level of the plinth. Above the level of the plinth, it is built from a basalt trapezium on a marble domed base. Thin plaster covers a basalt trap, polished to a fine sheen and decorated with fine stucco decoration.

The body of Rabia-ul-Daurani is kept underground, surrounded by an octagonal marble screen of exquisite design, through which one can descend the stairs. The mausoleum is pierced by a dome along with panels decorated with floral ornaments.

The tomb is entered through the main south entrance, which is adorned with fine leafy decorations on copper plates covering the wooden doors. A covered walkway leading from the entrance to the mausoleum surrounds a series of fountains, adding to the serene atmosphere. Approaching the monument, you will notice that there is only one mosque on the main square of the mausoleum. Both mosques adjoin the Taj, giving them symmetry. Obviously, this mosque is a later addition. Legend has it that in 1803, Nizam Sikandar Jahan was so fascinated by the mausoleum that he planned to move the mausoleum to his capital Hyderabad when the districts of Aurangabad and Marathwada were annexed to his kingdom. He even ordered the monument to be dismantled, slab by slab, to facilitate a smooth transition. But then he had a prediction about the catastrophe that would befall him if he damaged the existing structure. So he stopped working and built a mosque as a penance. 6.68 203-7 rupees (six lakhs sixty thousand two) for the construction of the shrine according to Tawarikh Namah Ghulam Mustafa in 1651-1661. It is located about five kilometers from Aurangabad and is a must-see city. Aurangabad is located 375 km from Mumbai.

Share this post