Bibi Ka Maqbara is a magnificent mausoleum, situated 5 km from Auragabad
in the state of Maharashtra. Literally means 'Tomb of the Lady', this
was built by Prince Azam shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in the late 17th
century as a loving tribute to his mother, Rabia-ul-Daurani, alias Dilras
Banu Begum. Also known as Mini Taj, the mausoleum is far less ornamental,
than Taj Mahal built by his grandfather in Agra (Aurangzeb was the third
son of Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his
beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal).
The construction work on the mausoleum was started in
the year 1651 and it took approximately 10 years to complete it. The mausoleum
stands in a square of 1,37,00 sq. meters. Set amid large beautifully landscaped
Moghal-style gardens some 457 by 274 metres and surrounded by high walls
with bastions set at intervals, and open pavilions on three sides, it
is an excellent example of Persian Architecture.
Visitors can enter in the area through a wooden entrance
gate on its south. The gate has an excellent foliage designs on brass
plate and it adorned with an inscription which tells that the tomb was
designed by Ata-ullah, an architect, and constructed by Hanspat Rai, an
engineer.
After crossing the entrance, one comes across a small
tank and a screen wall that leads to the main structure. As one moves
through the screened pathway, one can see beautiful lush lawns, deep green
cypresses trees and fountains. The screened pathway leading to the monument
are flanked by pools and fountains at its centre. The ambience is overwhelmingly
that of the Taj. The marble used in its construction is said to have been
brought from the mines situated near Jaipur. The dome and some parts of
the main building are made of marble, the rest is plastered with Eastco
plaster. Though Azam Shah wanted to construct the monument in marble,
but his father Aurangzeb was not in favour of building a monument as lavish
as the Taj and he blocked the movement of marble from Rajasthan and various
other parts of the Moghal empire.
Like Taj, this impressive monument has a central dome,
surrounded by four smaller domes. Four small minarets near the main structure
while four larger minarets at its corners. It is built on a high
square platform which is approached by a flight of steps from the three
sides. It is built in a way such that it can affords a beautiful view
of the garden and water bodies. The top of the Bibi ka Makbara is a huge
dome, pierced with trellis works and adorned with panels having floral
designs. The inner gallery and burial chamber are octagonal in shape and
the whole building is adorned with beautiful stonework except the grave
which is enclosed within a series of an octagonal white marble jali screens.
The tips of its pillars are made of red stone. On the tomb itself, in
place of a marble slab, there is bare earth covered with a decorated cloth.
The second tomb in the corner is said to be that of Rabia Daurani's nurse.
There is a mosque on the west side. MTDC organizes a
fair every October as the Bibi Ka Maqbara festival. There is an archaeological
museum located just behind the mausoleum, which houses rare collection
of artifacts and articles of personal use from the times of the Mughal
era.
The entry fee for Indians is Rs 10 and foreigners is
Rs 100 and the visiting time is 8 am to 6 pm.
The other famous tourist attractions such as Daulatabad
Fort, Ajanta and Ellora caves and Aurangzeb's Tomb at Khula-dabad are
located in close proximity of Bibi Ka Maqbara.
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Monuments 
