Almost all visitors to India do not leave the country without setting their eyes on the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra, touted as one of the eight wonders of the modern world. But what many do not know is that this seemingly inimitable marvel has a close cousin in the state of Maharashtra that may not have been as lavishly built but is certainly another majestic creation of the Mughals in India. It is the Bibi ka Maqbara in Aurangabad that was built by none other than the grandson of Shajahan, the emperor who created the Taj Mahal.
Bibi ka Maqbara
History
It is said that Bibi ka Maqbara was made by Azam Shah, the son of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb after whom the city of Aurangabad is named. The mausoleum was made between 1651 and 1661 A.D. in memory of Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, Azam Shah’s mother.
Azam Shah was strongly inspired by the Taj Mahal and wanted to make a rival monument of the same heavenly beauty in the city that Auranzeb had selected as his capital. But it was not to be. The decline in architecture and the use of materials other than marble to create the monument, made this epic dream a poor imitation. The work was completed in six years and it cost six-and-a half lakh rupees as compared to the 22 lakh and 22 years that the Taj took.
Nevertheless, the tomb complex, with the characteristic Mughal garden, escalating mountains as backdrop and with its air of history, does call for attention from curious tourists and historians alike.
What to see
If you have visited the Taj Mahal, you will certainly breathe a sigh of relief at finding the Bibi ka maqbara much easier to access and enter than its famous cousin. And you will also be gripped by a sense of déjà vu when you step into a setting that’s true to the Mughal style of architecture and very much like that of the Taj Mahal.
Here too, the mausoleum stands at the centre of a huge enclosure with Baradaris or pillared pavilions at the centre of all the four walls. The main entrance is from the southern pavilion which has been crenellated with bastions, small minarets and beautiful arched recesses.
The Southern Pavillion, courtesy Arijit Gupta
The garden now being restored to its old glory catches your attention, just like in the Taj premises, with the geometrical patterns, lush lawns and symmetry in the shape of the plants and flower beds. The path way too is very much the same with fountains at regular intervals and the mausoleum standing distinctly in front of your eyes.
From a distance, Bibi ka maqbara looks exactly like the Taj Mahal, but as you come closer, you also begin to notice the anomalies here and there and why it could not become the rival it wanted to.
It rests on a high square platform with four minarets at its corners, which is approached by a flight of steps from the three sides. A mosque is found to the west of the main structure, which was a later addition, by Nizam of Hyderabad.
Inside the Mausoleum, courtesy Danchitnis from Flickr
The mausoleum though white, does not have the sheen of marble that catches your eye at Taj Mahal. This is because here marble has been used only sparingly and most construction has been done with basaltic trap and fine plaster. The mortal remain of Rabia-ul-Daurani is placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal marble screen with exquisite designs, the approach to which has now been closed. The roof of this chamber is pierced by an octagonal opening and given a low barricaded marble screen. Thus the tomb can also be viewed from the ground level. It is crowned by a dome pierced with trellis works and accompanying panels decorated with flowers.
One of the Marble Screens, courtesy s_hiran from Flickr
Inside, the air is cool, peaceful and one can’t help but appreciate the beautiful marble screens, the golden door that is carved intricately with star shaped designs and the dome with its fine shape and carvings. Outside too, on the northern end of the mausoleum stand the imposing mountains that are home to the famous Aurangabad caves, which are visible as tiny dots on the mountain’s face. The beautiful mountains and the regal monument premises provide for some breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
What is interesting to know is that while the queen rests here, in a grand mausoleum, the Emperor Aurangzeb’s tomb is quite simple at a place called Khuldabad, on the outskirts of the city. It is a simple latticed enclosure quite inconspicuous if you are not earnestly looking for it and not really visited by many.
What to do
You can easily spend half a day roaming around the Bibi ka Maqbara premises with a packed lunch for a picnic in the lush green lawns. You can also buy some fine carved wooden and metallic items in the nearby shops and the famous himroo fabric clothes, sarees, stoles and dresses that are specially handcrafted in the area.
When to go
Aurangabad has pleasant climate all the year round and the environs look especially enchanting in the monsoon months from June to September.
Where to stay
The city offers ample accommodation choices as per your budget and comfort needs.
Writer’s note
If you have not seen the Taj Mahal, the beauty of Bibi ka Maqbara is appreciable. If you have seen the Taj, the comparison is undeniable. But do try to see the mausoleum in a new light away from the shadow of the Taj and you will surely find a monument that has a character and an identity of its own, quite incomparable to any other place in the world.
