Exploring the History Behind Bibi ka Maqbara

Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad

Nestled between tall Sihyachal mountains on the Deccan plateau, Bibi Ka Maqbara, or Tomb of the Lady, stands gracefully. You can see it from the road between Daulatabad and Aurangabad. It’s a symbol of memory and love, yet often overlooked, a hidden gem of heritage.

In Aurangabad, Maharashtra, the historical city, this tomb was built for Emperor Aurangzeb’s wife. In the past, Maqbara’s were Muslim graves common during the Mughal time. They honored the dead and their names. Later, they became associated with religious figures. Mughals started building them for their family.

In 1660, Aurangzeb’s son, Prince Azim Shah, commissioned Bibi Ka Maqbara for his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. It looks like the Taj Mahal, built for Aurangzeb’s mother. Though smaller, it’s the second largest structure he made. It’s often called the “Taj of the Deccan,” resembling the Taj Mahal. While similar, they differ in political and financial aspects. This article will look into the events leading up to the Bibi ka Maqbra. And who built Bibi ka Maqbara?

Bibi Ka Maqbara History Context and Creation

The Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad, a splendid monument, was built between 1651 and 1661 AD.

1. The Reign of Emperor Aurangabad Taj Mahal

It cost about Rs. 6.6 lakhs and Aurangzeb gave Rs. 7 lakhs for it. Ataullah designed it, and Hanspat Rai was the engineer. Marble from Jaipur mines was used. Around 300 carts, each pulled by twelve oxen carried marble to Aurangabad for construction. They aimed for a design like the Taj Mahal but faced budget and architectural challenges.

2. Commemorating Dilras Banu Begum

Dilras Banu Begum, Aurangzeb’s first and favorite wife, was the daughter of Mirza Badi-uz-Zaman Safavi. She married him in 1637. “Tomb of the Lady,” also called bibi Ka maqbara built by Prince Azam Shah, Aurangzeb’s son, in memory of Dilras Banu Begum. She died in 1657 due to complications after childbirth.

Aurangzeb’s pain was immense, and Azam Shah had a breakdown. Aurangzeb commissioned the Bibi Ka Maqbara three years later, similar to the Taj, as her resting place. Aurangzeb, who rarely built grand structures, made an exception for his wife’s mausoleum.

Architectural Brilliance

The Aurangabad Taj Mahal is a beautiful tomb for Rabia-ul-Daurani, also known as Dilras Banu Begum. She was the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb (1658-1707 A.D.).

1. Design and Layout

This bibi ka maqbara was built by Prince Shah to remember his mother between 1651 and 1661 A.D. On the main door, it says Ata-ullah, an architect, and Hanspat Rai, an engineer, built it. It looks like the famous Taj Mahal in Agra and is called the “Taj of Deccan”.

The tomb sits in a big space, about 458 meters north-south and 275 meters east-west. Pillared pavilions called Baradaris are at the north, east, and west. The tomb has a Char-Bagh design, like the Mughals loved, with a symmetrical garden. The walls have cool designs with little minarets.

2. Elements of the Mausoleum

The tomb stands on a tall square base with minarets at each corner. Steps go up from three sides. A mosque was added later in the west. The tomb is covered with marble up to a point. Above that, it’s made of a dark stone. The dome on top has pretty designs like flowers.

Inside, Rabia-ul-Daurani rests below the ground. Marble screens with nice patterns surround her. You can go down to see it. There’s a hole in the roof to see inside, too.

The small mosque is west of the tomb. It has arches and corner minarets. The tomb is round, about 170 feet wide. Marble minarets stand on each side. They have three floors and stairs to reach the top. The dome has designs of flowers.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Dilras (also called Rabia) and Aurangzeb had two boys and three girls. After a month of having her fifth child, Dilras passed away. The baby, Akbar, was cared for by his big sister. The queen’s death was hard for the family, especially the king. So, he built something to remember her – Bibi ka Maqbara, a symbol of love.

Her son, Azam Shah, fixed it and made it beautiful later. Maqbaras are graves from the Mughal times. They remember the dead and sometimes religious people. Royals also had them.

Restoration and Preservation Efforts

As the COVID-19 cases rose, Bibi Ka Maqbara, a historical Mughal monument in Aurangabad, closed its doors. During this time, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began repairing and conserving the site. ASI officials shared that they focused on the paintings and marble sections of the monument.

Setting up scaffolding around the main dome took nearly 25 days. Misra pointed out that using wooden and steel scaffolding around the 44-meter-wide main dome and its 3-meter-tall metallic pinnacle was particularly challenging.

The ASI team planned to conserve the paintings using earth colors from Rajasthan. These colors were used in historic palaces and were essential for restoration. Challenges like color reintegration and climate effects also had to be addressed.

Misra and his team remained committed to their task despite the setbacks and challenges. They expected to unveil the renewed Aurangabad Taj Mahal, with most interior marble conserved.

Difference between Bibi ka Maqbara vs. Taj Mahal

Even though Bibi ka Maqbara looks like the Taj Mahal in design and garden style, it’s smaller. It’s called the Mini Taj Mahal for this reason. Azam Shah, Aurangzeb’s son, built it with a budget of 7 lakh rupees. The tomb layout, dome, and char bagh style are similar to the Taj Mahal but couldn’t match the grandeur due to limited funds.

Mini Taj Mahal Aurangabad symbolizes love, built by Shah Jahan for his late wife. In contrast, Bibi ka Maqbara was a political move by Aurangzeb to show his ambitions as an emperor. Materials used differed – the Taj Mahal is made of marble with precious stones, while Bibi ka Maqbara is made of marble and plaster, making it less durable.

Structurally, the Taj Mahal is octagonal, and Bibi ka Maqbara is square yet has octagonal elements. This makes Bibi ka Maqbara distinct and unique. Both are remarkable, each telling a different story in history.

Inspirations and Imprints

Bibi Ka Maqbara, a symbol of remembrance, resembles the Taj Mahal. It’s a tribute to a mother’s love, standing proudly with its uniqueness. Also known as the Tomb of the Lady, Ataullah, son of Taj Mahal’s architect Ahmad Lahauri, designed it, heavily influenced by the prime wonder.

The pattern and design closely mimic the Taj Mahal, as Attaullah learned from his father’s work. Skilled in metalwork and languages like Sanskrit and Persian, he translated math books. Likely aided by Aurangzeb and his wife, they picked the site, vital for its beauty and aesthetics. Rai’s name’s on the metal door, showing his role.

Also Read:-

Safdarjung Tomb: History, Architecture, and Significance

Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur: History, Directions, and Timings

Qutub Minar in Delhi | Timings, Height, Ticket Prices,

The Concept of the Second Taj Mahal

The tomb aimed to be grander than the Taj, yet budget constraints led to a challenging replica. Mughal architects valued rivers through their structures and Charbagh gardens. Bibi Ka Maqbara is no different.

The Maqbara has a Charbagh-style garden at its center, surrounded by structures: a 12-door Baradari to the north, the main entrance to the south, a mosque to the west, and Aina Khana (mirror chamber) to the east. The white dome features flowery patterns. The walls hold arched recesses and bastions. A small mosque stands west, added later by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Importance of Timings for Visitors

Bibi Ka Maqbara, or Mini Taj Mahal Aurangabad, undoubtedly stands as a remarkable structure and a top Aurangabad tourist spot. The Bibi ka Maqbara timings are from 8 am to 8 pm.

You’ll find Bibi Ka Maqbara in Begumpura, Aurangabad, Maharashtra 431004. It’s around 3 km away from the city center. The mausoleum is open every day from 8 to 8 in the evening.

To reach Bibi Ka Maqbara, head to Maharashtra’s Aurangabad. It’s about 333 km from Mumbai, reachable in around 7 hours via NH160 Nagpur-Aurangabad highway. If you prefer flying, a flight from Mumbai to Aurangabad takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

How to Reach Bibi Ka Maqbara

Easily accessible from Mumbai, Aurangabad, a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra, draws visitors year-round due to its diverse range of monuments. It is roughly 333 kilometers from Mumbai and can be reached by car via the NH160 Nagpur-Aurangabad highway in about 7 hours. From Mumbai to Aurangabad, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MRCTC) operates a Parivaran bus every day. An average flight from Mumbai to Aurangabad will take about one hour and ten minutes if you choose to travel that distance by air. At the moment, the route is used by Jet Airways and Air India.

Nearest airport to Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara and Aurangabad Airport are located in Chikkalthana, 11 km away. There are flights from Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

Nearest Metro Station to Maqbara

In Aurangabad, the metro station is currently under construction.

Nearest Railway Station to Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara is located 6 km from Aurangabad Railway Station. The Aurangabad Jan Shatabdi Express is the fastest train that departs Mumbai.

Nearest Bus Stand to Bibi Ka Maqbara

The closest bus stop to Bibi Ka Maqbara is Central Bus Stand, which is located 3.4 kilometers away.

Conclusion

The Bibi Ka Maqbara holds beauty in every corner. From outside to inside, it’s adorned with decorative touches like stucco painting, plaster with raised designs, colorful tiles, and latticework. The ceiling boasts intricate geometric paintings and woven threads as you step in. Lattice work, showing floral or geometric patterns, greets you on screens inside.

Aurangzeb, who didn’t fancy building much, created this grand monument. Though he wished it as splendid as the Taj Mahal, he had to cut back due to money troubles.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )