Bibi Ka Maqbara: A Legendary Story of Love & Legacy

Bibi Ka Maqbara – The Taj of the Deccan

“Not all wonders of the world are set on the banks of the Yamuna. Not every exquisite work of art gleams in the heartland of the country. Bibi Ka Maqbara holds a place amongst its own kind, shining peacefully amidst the soul of Maharashtra.”

Picture this – you amble through expansive Mughal gardens admiring fountains dancing in the light, birds flutter above you, and a pristine white mausoleum is silhouetted against the backdrop of hazy, faraway hills. You stop, awe struck, and you could almost swear you were before The Taj Mahal. But you aren’t.

You are facing the Bibi Ka Maqbara, perhaps one of the best-known architectural sites in Maharashtra. Located at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, formerly called Aurangabad, the mammoth structure is Popularly nicknamed ‘The Taj of the Deccan’. However, far from the romantic tale of grief and lost love of the north, the Maqbara possesses a historical epic of its own, a moving story to tell, compelling narrative, and an arresting architecture.

The Fascinating History of Bibi Ka Maqbara

Every monument has a story. The story of love and the grandeur of the royal remembrance is to be told at Bibi Ka Maqbara. The Bibi Ka Maqbara was constructed at the order of Prince Muhammad Azam Shah who was a prince, a son of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He commissioned the monument at the memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum, also known by the title of Rabia-ud-Durrani.

The wife of Mughal prince Azam Shah, Dilras Banu Begum dies just after giving birth to her 5th child in the year 1657. This left a strong impact on the royal family and especially the emperor’s son. To memorize Dilras’s legacy, Azam Shah decides to get this breathtaking mausoleum built in the heart of Deccan.

It is a widely spread misconception that the monument was built by Aurangzeb personally. However, as records suggest, the project was first sanctioned by Prince Azam Shah and it was approved by Aurangzeb only when he allotted a meager budget for the work. This was because it was widely known that Aurangzeb led a simple lifestyle, and abhorred all things extravagant. The shortage of funds, was the single largest reason behind the difference between materials and art work of Bibi Ka Maqbara and the Taj Mahal.

Bibi Ka Maqbara at a Glance

Why Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara?

Instead of giving only one reason, here are five experiences that make this monument worth visiting.

✔ Perfect for History Lovers

Discover the emotional story behind one of the last great Mughal monuments.

✔ Photography Paradise

Capture reflections, fountains, marble carvings, and beautiful symmetry.

✔ Architectural Beauty

Architectural magnificence admire the sleek mughal architecture inspired by the famous taj mahal

✔ Peaceful Environment

Find yourself an oasis of tranquility with a much more relaxed feel than in most popular attractions.

✔ Close to Major Attractions

The location makes it a great tour along with Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort and Grishneshwar Temple.

How Did Bibi Ka Maqbara Earn the Title “Taj of the Deccan”?

“Is this place like the Taj Mahal?”

This is a question frequently asked by visitors just before they come here. Actually the answer will come in a wink, as soon as you enter in the main gate.

As soon as you go straight from the middle walk the graceful looking white mausoleum becomes the destination for your eyes. Symmetrical, gardened, fountained and watered it matches Taj Mahal in its entire plan.

Let’s discover why this beautiful monument earned such a famous nickname:

1. Similar Mughal garden layout.
2. Large central white mausoleum.
3. Four graceful minarets.
4. Beautiful reflecting pools.
5. Elegant domes and arches.
6. Symmetrical architecture design

However, we shouldn’t mistake Bibi Ka Maqbara for a copy of the Taj Mahal because it’s got its own characteristics. However, Bibi Ka Maqbara can claim the title of secondTaj Mahal in terms of creativity inspired by the Mughal period and modified by local capabilities and political scenarios.

🏛️ Architecture of Bibi Ka Maqbara

It’s an architecture in stages. Bibi Ka Maqbara doesn’t unfold in a single view, but in each step that you walk towards this building, you get to witness another dimension to the Mughal craftsmanship.

In the center way, everywhere the construction elements is in the exact symmetry in that. Fountains, garden, way, large dome all direct your eyes toward to tomb. Even this tomb also built with very tight budgets rather than Tajmahal, still amazing.

⛩️ 1. The Grant Entrance

You enter the grand Mughal Gateway which is adorned with such gorgeous arches and floral engravings.

As soon as you step into the entrance you can already view the structure sitting beautifully centered at the end of a long path. The most photographed view within the complex.

🌸 2. Persian Charbagh Garden

The garden of Bibi ka maqbara is layout on the pattern of famous “Charbagh garden style”, a practice prevalent in most of the Mughal architecture. Water channels and stone paths sub-divide garden in four same parts that show garden of paradise.

Garden Features

• 🌳 Beautiful green lawns
• 🌸 Seasonal flowers
• 💧 Decorative fountains
• 🚶 Wide walking paths
• 🌿 Shady trees
• 📸 Excellent photography spots

🌊 3. Reflecting Water Channels

From entrance to the monument there is long channel of water. Under morning or evening reflection in water the monument of the Bibi Ka Maqbara looks like a view made of dreams, which is the most famous click of the structure.

✨ 4. Four Graceful Minarets

Each corner of the platform has a lofty minaret contributing to the evenness of the monument in design. Such an aesthetic touch of minarets is representative of the underlying design ideals of Mughal style Architecture.

⚪️ 5. The Central Dome

The central portion of this Bibi Ka Maqbara is the white colored dome. Unlike Taj where only marble has been used this tomb is a structure constructed using stone as basalt, lime and white plaster. However, the dome is one element that is an attraction and complements it.

🗿 6. Delicate Floral Carvings

Look again more carefully at the walls and arches, you will find nice flowers, geometric pattern, decoration, and ornamentation there. These carvings really attest the high skill craftsmanship of Mughal artists

🏛️ 7. Underground Tomb Chamber

The lower compartment, located under the main mausoleum houses the tomb of Dilras Banu Begum. It can be seen and visited through a grilled opening from above, although it is prohibited to go down.

📸 Photography Tips

Tips to get the best photos :

• Take pictures in front of the entrance of the monument.
• You can use water body for reflection.
• Get a picture at sunrise or sunset.
• Carry a wide angle lens.
• Enjoy visiting the garden behind the monument for a change of view and frames.

Timing & Entry Fee

📍Entry Times – Open on all days 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

🕰️ Required Time – 1.5- 2 hours will be ideal to complete exploring.

🍃 Best Time to Visit – It is better to reach the monument on a weekday for avoiding the crowd.

🎫 Ticket Prices:

• Indian Citizens – ₹25
• Foreign Tourists – ₹300
• Children below 15 years – Free (as per ASI rules)

Best Time To Visit

🍃 Experience Bibi Ka Maqbara In Every Season

Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara Through Out The Year! Each time of the year makes you see Bibi Ka Maqbara in the absolutely different colors.

🌧️ Monsoon (July–september)

Green everywhere, fresh air, and romantic pictures against a sky that’s often a beautiful gray.

🍂 Winter (October–February)

If winter weather seems undesirable to you for travel, be aware of the clear skies and mild temperatures. Winter conditions is a perfectly suited time for visiting the monument.

☀️ Summer (March-June)

Try to plan your trip early in the day or late in the evening so as not to encounter with the mid-day scorching sun and to have a serene tour.

Nearby Attractions

If you’re here at Bibi Ka Maqbara, make sure not to miss out on these!

• 📍Ellora Caves – 30 Km
• 🛕 Ghrishneshwar Temple – 31 Km
• 🏰 Daulatabad Fort – 16 Km
• 💧Panchakki – 2 Km
• 🪨 Aurangabad Caves – 5 Km
• 🌳 Siddharth Garden – 4 Km

Essential Travel Tips

✔️Go in the morning to avoid tourist crowds.

✔️Make sure to wear appropriate walking shoes.

✔️Take a water bottle on a trip during summer.

✔️Do not vandalise any part of the monument.

✔️Respect ASI rules while exploring the monument.
Ensure that you do not miss at least two hours in the monument.

My Personal Experience