Maharashtra State - Aurangabad, City of Gates

Date of visit: 11th December 2011

I first laid my eyes on a picture of "Bibi Ka Maqbara" in the Spicejet flight magazine during a flight from Delhi to Hyderabad sometimes in June 2011. It was a big wow as I opined that the building is a miniature and/or resemblance of Taj Mahal. Since then, I had my wish to visit Aurangabad, said to be the City of Gates. The meaning of Aurangabad is "Built by the Throne", being named after the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. To me, it was like visiting Aurangzeb though I did not managed to pay a visit to his tomb in the Dargah of Hazarat Khaja Jainoddin Siraji Jah, Khuldabad. His tomb was very simple as he wished. His son's tomb, emperor Azamshah who built Bibi Ka Maqraba is nearby his grave.

An entrance gate to the mausoleum of a foliage designs on brass plate on wood covering, seen in below photo. The mausoleum is built on a high square platform with four minarets at its corners, which is approached by a flight of steps from the three sides. A mosque is placed on the west of the main structure a later addition by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Local kids on a school tour listening to instructions and briefing by their teacher. Beautiful!

Emperor Azamshah built a majestic memorial on the style of Taj Mahal of Agra to perpetuate the memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum. The monument's name translates literally to 'Tomb of the Lady', but has earned the nickname 'poor man’s Taj' because it was originally planned to rival the Taj Mahal. The father, Emperor Aurangzeb gave Azam Shah only Rs.7 lakhs for the construction, whilst, the Taj Mahal is said to cost Rs.32 million.

Archaeological Survey of India has installed below informative Board in the entrance of Bibi Ka Maqbara describing it's history. The 2 sisters with their daughters in the picture with me are our travelling companion.

The mausoleum is encased with marble up to the dado level. Above the dado level, it is constructed of basaltic trap up to the base of dome. The dome too is built of marble. A fine plaster covers the basaltic trap and given a fine polished finish and adorned with fine stucco decorations.

The sanctum

Daulatabad is a fort built by the Bhillam V of Yadav dynasty in 1187 AD. It came under Khilji Sultanate of Delhi in 1318 later made the capital of India in 1327 by Tughlaq Dynasty for 2 years, before it was abandoned due to lack of water. The Mughal and the last Nizam of Hyderabad among the last 2 rulers till 1948.

Daulatabad is located at a distance of 15 km northwest of Aurangabad and midway to Ellora group of caves. The original widespread capital city is now mostly unoccupied and has been reduced to a village. Much of its survival depends on the tourists to the old city and the adjacent fort. There are Chand Minar, a 210 ft height tower, Chini Mahal (ruin palace), Mughal Pavilion and monuments.

It will take at least half day to explore and walk within the Fort, thus, we decided to view the external part without even going inside. After a quick stop for Asar prayer at a nearby mostque, we headed back to Daund through the dawn time.