Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara
Location Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Coordinates 19°54′05″N 75°19′13″E / 19.90151°N 75.320195°E / 19.90151; 75.320195
Built 1651-1661
Architect Ata- ullah, Hanspat Rai
Architectural style(s) Mughal architecture
Type Cultura
State Party  India
Location in Maharashtra, India

The Bibi Ka Maqbara (English:"Tomb of the Lady") (Tomb of Rabia Durani) is a tomb located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was built by Azam Shah,[1] son of Aurangzeb, in 1678 in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum (posthumously known as Rabia-ud-Daurani).[2][3][4][5] It bears a striking resemblance to the famous Taj Mahal,[5] the mausoleum of his grandmother, Mumtaz Mahal. Aurangzeb was not very interested in architecture, though he had built the small, but elegant, Pearl Mosque at Delhi. The Bibi Ka Maqbara was the largest structure that he had to his credit.[3]

The comparison to the Taj Mahal has often obscured its very own considerable charm.[6] Due to the strong resemblance, it is also called the Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan).[2] The Bibi Ka Maqbara is the principal monument of Aurangabad and its historic city.[4][7] An inscription found on the main entrance door mentions that this mausoleum was designed and erected by Ata-ullah, an architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer respectively.[2] Ata-ullah was the son of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.

History

Bibi ka Maqbara is believed to have been built between 1651 and 1661 C.E. According to the "Tarikh Namah" of Ghulam Mustafa, the cost of construction of the mausoleum was Rs. 6,68,203-7 (rupees six lakh, sixty-eight thousand, two hundred three and seven annas) – Aurangzeb allocated only Rs. 7,00,000 for its construction.[8] An inscription found on the main entrance door mentions that this mausoleum was designed and erected by Ata-ullah, an architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer respectively. The marble for this mausoleum was brought from mines near Jaipur. According to Tavernier, around three hundred carts laden with marble, drawn by at least 12 oxen, were seen by him during his journey from Surat to Golconda. The mausoleum was intended to rival the Taj Mahal, but the decline in architecture and proportions of the structure (both due to the severe budgetary constraints imposed by Aurangzeb) had resulted in a poor copy of the latter.[2]

Features

Bird's eye view of the Bibi Ka Maqbara
Interior of main dome
Sanctum with the tomb of Dilras Banu Begum

The mausoleum is laid out in a Charbagh formal garden. It stands at the centre of a huge enclosure measuring approximately 458 m. N-S X 275 m. E-W. Baradaris or pillared pavilions are located at the centre of north, east and western part of the enclosure wall. The high enclosure wall is crenellated with pointed arched recesses and bastions at regular intervals. The recesses are divided by pilasters, crowned with small minarets. The mausoleum is built 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, a later addition by the Nizam of Hyderabad, resulting in closure of the west entrance.

Entry to the mausoleum is through a main entrance gate on its south, which has foliage designs on brass plate on wood covering from the exterior. After passing through the entrance a small tank is provided and a low profile screen wall leads to the main structure. The screened pathway has a series of fountains at its centre.

The mausoleum is encased with marble up to the dado level. Above the dado level, it is constructed of basaltic trap up to the base of the dome; the latter is again built of marble. A fine plaster covers the basaltic trap and given a fine polished finish and adorned with fine stucco decorations. The mortal remains of Rabia Daurani are placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal jali pierced marble screen with exquisite designs, which can be approached by a descending flight of steps. The roof of this chamber that corresponds to the ground level of the mausoleum is pierced by an octagonal opening and given a low barricaded marble screen. This makes the tomb viewable from the ground level through this octagonal opening. The mausoleum is crowned by a dome pierced with trellis works and accompanying panels decorated with flower designs.[2]

The structure is in the form of a hexagon, its angles ornamented with minaret]s.[9] Bibi-ka-maqbara was built in 1660 by prince Azam Shah in the memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begam. In 1720, Nizam-ul-Mulk Asif Jah, a distinguished General of Aurangzeb with the intention of founding his own dynasty in the Deccan, arrived at Aurangabad and made it his capital. He paid a visit to Delhi in 1723, but returned in 1724. Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II transferred his capital from Aurangabad to Hyderabad in 1763.

In popular culture

Bibi Ka Maqbara has featured in a number of documentaries and films. A part of the song Jab Tak from the movie M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story was shot in Bibi Ka Maqbara and surrounding hills.

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Bibi ka Maqbara. Mughal History
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "World Heritage Sites. Bibi-Ka-Maqbar". Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  3. 1 2 Eraly, Abraham (2008). The Mughal world: India's tainted paradise. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 376.
  4. 1 2 Koch, Ebba (1997). King of the World: The Padshahnama. Azimuth. p. 104.
  5. 1 2 Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 174.
  6. ↑ Gascoigne, Bamber; Gascoigne, Christina (1971). The Great Moghuls. Cape. p. 229.
  7. ↑ "Bibi Ka Maqbara". Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Maharashtra (India). Gazetteers Dept (1977). Maharashtra State gazetteers. Director of Govt. Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra State. p. 951. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Qureshi Dulari,"Tourism Potential in Aurangabad", p.50

Sources

External links

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Coordinates: 19°54′05″N 75°19′13″E / 19.90151°N 75.320195°E / 19.90151; 75.320195

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