A Day In Aurangabad : Bibi Ka Maqbara

With a few days off, and an itch to road trip in the rains, we decided on Aurangabad followed by Lonar. This is one stretch we hadn’t been to, and the time at hand perfectly enabled us to quickly freeze the plans and leave.

Aurangabad is roughly 340 km from Mumbai (240 from Pune) and one can drive the distance in about 6 hours comfortably. The route is generally scenic. We drove from Pune and loved almost the entire stretch.

The city was founded in 1610 by Malik Amber, then named Khadki, and has completed over 400 years in existence. His son Fateh Khan, after Malik’s death, changed the name to Fateh Nagar. In 1653 when Aurangzeb (yet only a prince) was made the viceroy of the Deccan, he made Fatehnagar his capital and renamed it Aurangabad. During the British Raj, Aurangabad was part of the princely state of Hyderabad.

We spent barely two days in Aurangabad, so couldn’t marvel at the many historical places here. But we did visit the most famous, Bibi Ka Maqbara. This serene monument was erected in the memory of Aurangzeb’s wife, Dilras Banu Begum, by his son Azan Shah. Aurangzeb wasn’t much interested in architecture so didn’t build much else. The other notable monument built by him was The Pearl Mosque in Delhi, and he himself is laid to rest in a modest elsewhere in Aurangabad.

Bibi K Maqbara was designed by Ata-Ullah, architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer. Ata-Ullah’s father, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the pricipal designer of the Taj Mahal. Built between 1651 and 1661, the cost of construction was apparently Rs 6,68,203-7 (7 annas). It’s a beautiful monument in its elegant simplicity, and legend has it that when Nizam Sikandar Jehan of Hyderabad annexed this region, he wanted to shift the monument slab by slab to his capital. However, he soon had a premonition that some disaster may befall upon him, should he disturb this serene structure, so he abandoned the idea and built a mosque in penance.

The atmosphere of Bibi Ka Maqbara is somehow full of sadness. Perhaps it’s the austerity, or the simple white plaster of the detailing.

Also known as the City Of Gates, Aurangabad once had 52, each with its own history, context and individuals. Out of the 52, only four main and nine subordinate gates have survived, the most famous, oldest and biggest of them being the Bhadkal Gate near the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams. Another large gate that once can see, built by Aurangzeb himself, is Delhi Gate.

Bibi Ka Maqbara
At the entrance of Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The entrance door to Bibi Ka Maqbara
About Bibi Ka Maqbara
About Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Detailing on the arched doorway at Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Beautiful work on the brass door knob at Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Detailing on the ceiling on the door way. Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
It’s incredible how beautiful this monument is in all its simplicity. Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
More views of the detailed work inside the Bibi Ka Maqbara doorway.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Some say the monument is a replica of the Taj Mahal. Well, we don’t agree. This one is special and different in its own right.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Each piece of jali work is different.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The beautiful minaret. Aurangzeb refused to spend lavish amounts of money on Bibi Ka Maqbara, so only the main onion dome is made of marble. The rest of the structure is plaster.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Another imposing view of the minaret at Bibi Ka Maqbara.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The gorgeous marble jali work. Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Details of the carving around the main monument.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The Bibi Ka Maqbara is surrounded by lush gardens. The walk ways in these gardens were once covered with intricately laid out brick work, some of which can still be seen…
Aurangabad.
A drive around Aurangabad is full of such historical monuments spread all over.
Daulatabad
A typical old gateway, Enroute Daulatabad.
Daulatabad
On that distant hill is the fort of Daulatabad.
Daulatabad
Another old monument near Daulatabad
The Taj Aurangabad.
We had stayed a couple of nights at the Taj Aurangabad. Highly recommended, and they have fabulous packages running all the time.
Millet crop, Maharashtra.
Drives around Aurangabad pas through lush fields like this one, with a standing crop of millet.
Aurangabad.
Stoppib by a quaint tea-shop on the way to Aurangabad.
Aurangabad Gate
One of the many gates around Aurangad.
Daulatabad
Another monument on the way from Aurangabad towards Daulatabad.
Aurangabad
Such ancient ruins are strength around all over in Aurangabad

 

Aurangabad is famous for its luxurious cotton and silk weaving called Mushroo and Himroo. The Himroo fabric is associated with Mohammad Bin Tughlaq and it is said he brought the craft to India in around the 14th Century.

Bidriware is another old art form where gold and silver are inlaid on copper. Once it was used to create rich plates, jewellery, huqqah vases, bowls etc. Not practiced as much now, once can however still find traces if it in cuff links and name plates, among other forms.

Kaghzipura near Daulatabad is supposed to be the first place in India where paper was milled. Supposed to have been brought to India by the mongols, the paper was used to print the Quran.

Aurangabad food is much like Mughal or Hyderabadi with its rich biryani and spice laden meats. Naan Qalia is a notable dish, comprising of mutton cooked in spices served with Naan. Tahri is another famous dish, much like the biryani. We didn’t;t have a chance to try these out though.

There’s plenty to see in Aurangabad and around. Panchakki is a 17th Cenury Water Mill. Daulatabad Fort is a gorgeous example of 12th Century Yadava Dynasty Architecture. It’s another great weekend getaway from Mumbai or Pune.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ]How to reach : Aurangabad is easily reached by a fabulous Airport or the train station. It’s well connected by road from Mumbai and Pune.

Where to Stay : Plenty of places, but we stayed at the Taj.

When to visit : Just after the monsoons (August) or in Winters (November to February) should be good. Aurangabad gets very hot In the summers.[/box]

12 thoughts on “A Day In Aurangabad : Bibi Ka Maqbara”

  1. I’ve been eyeing on Bibi Ka Maqbara for quite some time now, especially after another blogger posted pictures of it — Taj of the Deccan I believe some call it. The ceiling looks stunning yet elegant, just how Aurangzeb himself wanted it to feel like, I suppose.

    Reply
    • Hi Bama! Actually Aurangzeb never wanted to build this, his son, Azam Shah, did. It’s also called BIBi Ka Maqbara, which means Mother’s Tomb…

      Reply
  2. This place is quiet and has that untouched charm. I agree, it’s not like Taj Mahal. It has its own mystic and history. The architecture is beautiful and you’ve captured it artistically.

    Reply
  3. Thanks for the beautiful pictures of BIbi Ka Maqbara. I’ve been to this place, but my camera’s battery was almost dead after Ellora Caves, so I just manages to take a few quick photos of the “mini Taj” 🙂

    Reply

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