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Bibi Ka Maqbara, situated 5-km from the
Aurangabad city
was built in 1678 by Aurangazeb's son Prince Azam Shah, in memory of his
mother Begum Rabia Durani. It is considered as a fine piece of Mughal
architecture in the Deccan region. It is also known as The Taj of south
India.
This mausoleum is a replica of the famous Taj Mahal. Though the layout
and surrounding of the tomb is very much similar to that of Taj but some
how the architecture fails to produce the magic of Taj. When it its
delicacy of work etc. is compared, it falls far short of the glory of the
Taj at Agra. Hence, it is considered to be a poor imitation of Taj Mahal
in Agra.
The entrance to the complex is through an enormous
brass-inlaid door, with an inscription around its edge naming the maker,
the year of its installation and the chief architect. The chief architect
of the monument is a Persian called Ustad Ata-ullah.
The inscription also reveals that it cost precisely Rs. 665,283 and 7
Annas to build this monument. Four towering minarets frame the central
tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately
perforated marble screens. Inside, an octagonal lattice-screen of white
marble surrounds the raised plinth supporting Rabia Daurani's grave. The
tips of its pillars are made of red stone and the beauty of this monument
is heightened when its reflection falls in the water as soon as the sun's
first rays fall on it.
Below the tomb, lattice works are in marble. However, the lattice work
and inlay decorations of flowers and creepers are beautiful. It attracts
hordes of visitors and would no doubt be considered a high point of Mughal
architecture if the Taj did not exist. It is much more atmospheric at
night, when it is floodlit. MTDC organises a fair every October as the
Bibi Ka Maqbara festival.
Air: Aurangabad
is a major city of Maharashtra and has an airport of its own.
Road: It is also well connected by rail with all the major cities
within and outside the state.
Road: MTDC ply buses regularly from Mumbai
, Nashik,
Nagpur, Pune
, etc. Tourists can get down in Aurangabad
and take either taxi or auto rickshaw and reach this monument, which is
frequently visited not only by Indians but also people from other
countries.
Accommodation facilities are available at the various hotels at Aurangabad.
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