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| Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad. reamstime.com/ |
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| Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad. .dreamstime.com |
Often referred to as Poor man's Taj, Bibi ka Maqbara, a tomb of Mogul ruler Aurangzeb' wife about 5 km Aurangabad city, is an important tourist spot and receives heavy footfall of tourists year round. This replica of Taj Mahal like many monuments across India was slowly losing its sheen and look because of age and poor maintenance. It is neither massive nor well-embellished built by Aurangzeb during his declining years in terms of wealth and health after having waged several wars and lost much of his wealth.; a victim of hid own ego and over religious zeal. Its simplicity is the hallmark of its architecture, hence lots of people visit this site which is close to the Kham river. The entire structure gleams gently when the sun is setting down on the horizon. Like the Taj, it never disappoints the tourists and makes a lasting impression on them that clings to the mind for a few days in spite of the fact it is nor entirely made of marble stones with fine decorations or beautiful engraved calligraphy.
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| Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabadoutlookindia.com |
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| Carvings in the ceiling. dreamstime.com |
Often called 'Dakkhani Taj' (Taj of the Deccan), its design is such that it's reflection falls on the pond in the garden when the Sunlight hits the mausoleum when setting down.
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| interior Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad. upload.wikimedia.org |
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| Bibi ka Maqbara Aerial view of the tomb, Aurangabad upload.wikimedia.org |
Aurangzeb, built this mausoleum in memory of his first beloved wife and chief consort, Dilras Banu Begum, who died a month after the birth of her 5th son Muhammad Akbar on 8 October 1657. It was commissioned in 1660 by him three years after her death and Bibi ka Maqbara ("Tomb of the Lady") , became her final resting place and the work was completed in 1678 by Aurangzeb's son, Prince Azam Shah. An octagonal lattice-screen of white marble surrounds the raised plinth supporting Rabia Daurani's (title given posthumously) grave. A few kilometers from here in Khuldabad lies a simple grave of Aurangzeb, where he was buried after his death.
Since 2021 conservation of this 17th century CE mausoleum has been going on and the restoration work included painting, carvings, marble, works, etc. The ASI is doing the conservation work in three parts starting with the gate, interior dome, etc., and marble partition around the tomb. Paintings near the gate are scientifically conserved
The Siasat Daily 13th Nov. 2022 Siasat. com
