The Taj Mahal I visited…..

It was in 1979 that we visited Aurangabad in Maharashtra. We were still living in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. It was a holiday trip to Aurangabad.

The tourist guide took us along the historical places. The most amazing sight I had was a Taj Mahal in Aurangabad. I had very little knowledge of History still I knew about the Taj Mahal in Agra. The guide was talking in Hindi and I could only understand that the next place of our visit was “Bibi ka Maqbara". While standing in front of the architectural beauty, we were stunned to see a replica of the Taj Mahal . It was a thrilling experience.

The Bibi ka Maqbara is a Mausoleum constructed by Azam Shah in memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum. This was built between 1651 and 1661 AD.

This beautiful Mausoleum is constructed in white marble. Though inspired by the “Taj Mahal of Agra”, there is lapse in architectural proportions, which resulted in a poor copy. Hence it is known as the “Taj of Deccan.” Still the Mausoleum attracts the eyes along with the natural beauty of the mountain ranges behind and the garden set up around.

The mausoleum is entered through a main entrance gate on its south, which has excellent foliage designs on brass plate on wood covering from the exterior. After passing through the entrance a small tank is provided and a low profile screen wall leads to the main structure. The screened pathway has a series of fountains at its centre, which adds to further the serene atmosphere.

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 found to the west of the main structure, which was a later addition caused, by Nizam of Hyderabad resulting closure of the entrance. 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 latter is again built of marble. A fine plaster covers the basaltic trap and given a fine polished finish and adorned with fine stucco decorations. The mortal remain of Rabia-ul-Daurani is placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal marble screen with exquisite designs, which can be approached by a descending flight of steps. The roof of this chamber that corresponds to the ground level of the mausoleum is pierced by an octagonal opening and given a low barricaded marble screen. Thus the tomb can also be viewed from the ground level also through this octagonal opening. The mausoleum is crowned by a dome pierced with trellis works and accompanying panels decorated with flower designs.

The smaller mosque, a later addition, stands to the west of the mausoleum. The bays are pierced through with five cusped arches and a minaret could be noticed at each corner.

While I collected the details of this Taj, I got the feeling of walking through Bibi ka Maqbara once again. The memories are still fresh.

But my wish to see the Taj Mahal of Agra is still a dream, unfulfilled…….