Bibi Ka Maqbara Home > Maharashtra > Attractions > Mosques > Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara

  • Location

5 km from Aurangabad

  • Entombs

Rabia-ul-Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum (wife of Aurangazeb)

  • Built In

1661 AD

  • Cost of Construction

Rs. 6, 68,203-7 (Rupees Six Lakh, Sixty Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Three, & Seven Annas)

  • Architectural Style

Mughal Architecture

  • Timing

Sunrise to 10:00PM


  • Admission fees

For Indian Citizens Rs 5 and for Foreigners Rs. 100


Situated in the city of Maharashtra, Bibi KA Maqbara is one of the famous mausoleums here. In 1661, the Late Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb commissioned this huge Maqbara in the memory of his first wife who was called Rabia Ul Daurani. The Bibi ka Maqbara is close in resemblance to the wondrous Taj Mahal which was the tomb of Aurangzeb’s mother. Unlike his ancestors, Aurangzeb did not show that much interest in the sphere of architecture. This though is the largest construction that bears the name of Aurangzeb. People have been compelled to compare this with the Taj in Agra which takes away the glory of the former. Its resemblance to Taj also makes it known as Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan).  The Bibi Ka Maqbara is the iconic structure that is often used to identify the city of Aurangzeb.

History

Between 1651 and 1661 C.E are often believed to be the years when this palace was constructed. This claim is based on the "Tawarikh Namah" of a historian known as Ghulam Mustafa. It also records that a total expenditure of Rs. 6,68,203.7 (Rupees Six Lakh, Sixty Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Three and Seven Annas). Aurangzeb had sanctioned an amount of 7 lakh Rupees as opposed to the several crores Shahjahan had sanctioned. Bibi Ka Maqbara is the iconic structure that is often used to identify the city of Aurangzeb. Inscriptions on the main gateway reveal the fact that the main architect behind this was a person called Ata-ullah and an engineer called Hanspat Rai. Several mines near the city of Jaipur became hot property as they were chosen to supply marbles for this palace. Aurangzeb had planned the mausoleum as a competition to the Taj. But several short comings on the architectural front and constraints of finances and resources made it came closer to the Taj but could not come close enough to become its rival.

Location

It is located in the city of Aurangabad which is very close to Nashik in Maharashtra. The architecture of the place bears witness to the loss of architectural values of the Mughals.

Architecture

A Charbagh layout defines the main layout of the mausoleum which is bordered by a huge corral which measures nearly 458 m. N-S X 275 m. E-W. Several pillared Pavilions known as the Baradaris stand in its architectural grandeur. Separated by pilasters, the place boast of small minarets as its crown. Like the Taj Mahal, this place too is based on a huge raised platform that also supports the 4 minarets on each of its corners. The Nizam of Hyderabad later added a small mosque on the western front which not only closed entry from the western side but also added another element to the place.

On the southern side, a huge gateway allows entrance to the Maqbara. The gate boasts of a floral design which is carved on wood and brass. This gate is shortly followed by a tank and a small screen like wall leads the eyes to the iconic structure. On the centre of the screened pathway are a fleet of fountains.

There are marbles in the Maqbara that soar upto the dado level above which it is made up of a basaltic trap that runs of the bottom of the huge dome. The dome too is made out of fine marble. A superior plaster encapsulates the basaltic trap and offers an excellent refined conclusion which is decorated with fine stucco garlands. The grave of the empress Rabia Daurani lies one floor below the ground level and is encircled with a marble screen that is octagonal in shape and has a superb design. A flight of stairs leads one down to this place. The octagonal opening of the Maqbara provides a view of the mausoleum even from the ground level. The actual crown of the Maqbara is the dome which is decorated by a treasure of trellis works which are complimented by accompanying panels boasting floral designs.

Completed in 1660, the mausoleum was commissioned by Aurangzeb who created this in the memory of his first wife. In 1720, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah, an illustrious General in the army of Aurangzeb came to the city of Aurangabad to find his own destiny free from the Mughals. He created this city as is capital. Although he visited Delhi in 1723, He returned to his home the very next year. Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II in the year 1763 shifted his capital to the city of Hyderabad.

How to Reach

By Air

Chikalthana Airport that serves the city of Aurangabad lies at a distance of 10kms from the city and is well connected through a series of flights from the major cities of India. During the peak season, Indian airlines also run a service that connects the city to Pune and Mumbai

By Train

Although away from the actual route of trains, there is a fair connectivity of trains to Aurangabad. The Sacchkhan express connects Aurangabad to Delhi while Mumbai is connected through the Janshatabdi Express. Other than that, Nashik is very close to the city of Aurangabad and is frequented by a number of trains from several cities of the country

By Road

The connectivity of Aurangabad with the rest of the state through road is exceptional. The state transport buses provide easy connectivity to a lot of people. Luxury buses connect Aurangabad to Mumbai through an overnight journey.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is the optimum time to visit the place as the temperatures reach their moderate best during these months and the harshness of summers are gone.

Having said that, the main season of holidays in India range from April to June which is when all the major schools and colleges hut down, this though is not a good time to visit Aurangabad due to the extreme summer season .

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Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 1
Best Time To Visit Rajasthan 2

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