People from all over the world come to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. However, not many people around the world are aware that tucked in Aurangabad in Maharashtra, is an exact replica of the Taj Mahal.
Known as the Bibi Ka Maqbara, this beautiful mausoleum was built in the 17th century by Prince Azam Shah, a son of Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother Begum Rabia Durani. Unlike Taj Mahal, which epitomizes a husband’s love for his wife, Bibi Ka Maqbara is the epitome of a son’s devotion for his mother.
Designed by an architect named Ata-ullah and constructed by an engineer named Hanspat Rai, this Taj of Deccan, stands in the centre of a spacious enclosure measuring 458 meters x 275 meters.
There is a well laid out garden with axial tanks, water channels and fountains. The symmetry of the architecture, its ornamentation, the arches and minarets are testimony of the late Mughal style of architecture.
The mausoleum is built on a raised platform approachable by a flight of stairs from three sides. There are four minarets at the four corners. The tomb of Begum Rabia-dl-Durani is located below the ground level. Exquisitely designed octagonal marble screens enclose the grave.
There is a mosque built by the Nizam of Hyderabad on the western side of the mausoleum.
How to reach Aurangabad
Aurangabad is well connected by air, road and rail. There are direct flights to Aurangabad from Mumbai and Delhi. Aurangabad is linked to Mumbai and Pune directly by rail. State Transport buses ply between Aurangabad and major Indian cities, such as, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. Local transportation includes taxis, buses and auto-rickshaws.
Other attractions of Aurangabad
Besides Bibi Ka Maqbara, there are many other attractions of Aurangabad. Panchakki is a 17th century watermill that was used for operating the massive grinding stones of the flourmills.
The Aurangabad caves, the Ajanta and Ellora cave shrines are the major attraction of Aurangabad. The State Archaeology Museum and the History Museum of Marathwada University have a rich collection of sculptures of the Sathavahana dynasty and miniature paintings belonging to the Rajput, Maratha, Mughal and British era.