Day 3- Bibi ka Maqbara
This story is the continuation of the journey of two Mumbaikars Sayan and Rahul. Sit back and have a leisurely read as they give you a virtual tour of Bibi ka Maqbara in Aurangabad.
After exploring most corners of the world-famous Ajanta and Ellora, the friends gave attention to lesser-known monuments in Aurangabad. It was their last day in the city and having booked a late-night train towards Mumbai, they had lots of time in the day. Unlike the first two days, there was no tearing hurry on the third day. Zostel offered them the facility to leave their luggage at the bell desk even after checking out. This helpful facility coerced Sayan into sharing Aurangabad experiences with a few front-office executives until Rahul found a place in the vicinity for breakfast.
The breakfast facility was like a small dhaba which appeared functional but not fancy. It didn’t take them much time to order for poha, cucumber sandwiches, and tea. Following this short but wholesome meal, the two friends departed by 10:30 a.m. to look for an autorickshaw to Bibi ka Maqbara.
Large Crowds
The journey to the monument took about ½ an hour. As they neared its gate, the sight of huge crowds made them slightly wary of the visit. As they asked the autorickshaw driver about the crowd, he said, “Sir, Aaj to Dussehra hai. Itne log to honge hi. Abhi to subah hi hai.” (Sir, today is Dussehra. These many people will naturally visit, and it’s still the early part of the day). Rahul wondered what he meant by ‘subah hi hai’, considering that it was already nearing 12 pm!
To their good fortune, the two friends noticed people to be moving all around the building complex, enabling them to roam around without being pushed. Bibi ka Maqbara looks dark white and its structure is similar to the famous Taj Mahal. Before imagining more about the structure on this virtual tour, here is a brief history of this monument.
History
The famous Bibi ka Maqbara was erected in 1668 by Azam Shah, who was Aurungzeb’s son. Azam Shah got this mausoleum constructed in honor of his mother Dilras Begum, who was renamed Rabia Durani after his death. Other names by which Bibi ka Maqbara is known include:
1 – The Tomb of Rabia Durani
2 – Dakkhani Taj
3 – Taj of the Deccan
The last two names are given based on their resemblance to the Taj Mahal, as mentioned earlier. Ataullah, son of Ahmad Lahauri, the person who designed the Taj Mahal, was responsible for creating this tomb’s architecture. Ahmad’s influence has been the inspiration behind Bibi ka Maqbara’s look. Interestingly, though both monuments denote tales of love and compassion, one is for Aurangzeb’s mother (Taj), and the other is for his wife (Bibi ka Maqbara).
Royal Mughal Appearance
Pictures may not do justice to the beautiful Mughal architecture of the Dakkhani Taj. For a brief moment, Sayan and Rahul longed to see black clouds in the backdrop of the tomb, for its beauty to stand out. They both thought about how a person who suddenly wakes up from sleep in the middle of the complex may think of having arrived in Agra! Rabia Durani’s coffin was kept near the entrance of the tomb. Visitors could enter and move clockwise to see the space, just like the Taj Mahal.
Maintenance work was being carried out in different areas of the monument, showing that attention was being regularly given to its upkeep. The two friends noticed cracks in the minarets being mended.
Can’t See Fountains
While walking around the Taj Mahal in Agra, one comes across several beautiful fountains that throw water the entire day and evening. However, though the two friends could see the fountain spouts, water was absent. They felt the greenery around could have appeared fresher with operational small canals and fountains in the vicinity.
How the Tomb of Rabia Durani Was Unique
What was different from the Taj here was the presence of parks around each minaret. The large crowds in the area were scattered around the parks, with people comfortable in temperatures within the early 30s. As several families were roaming around the tomb complex on Dussehra, it was nice for Sayan and Rahul to see kids playing in the park and families enjoying outdoor picnics.
To the Next Destination
After spending a couple of hours, the duo decided to devour samosas in a nearby shop. Walking around in reasonable heat had made their stomachs rumble. They decided to board an autorickshaw to get to Soneri Mahal, which was closed on the occasion of Dussehra. The friends decided to try their luck one last time with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, which was also shut.
Despite the monuments being closed, we would like our readers to get a brief idea of what to expect at the above places. Using this information, you can consider visiting these places when in Aurangabad. The Soneri Mahal was formerly a 1650s mansion with a beautiful garden but has now been made into a small museum. Metal crafts, stone sculptures, and weapons as articles are visible here. As the name suggests, this place was originally a palace, made by Paharsingh, a chief in the Bundelkhand area, between 1651 and 1653. Soneri Mahal gets its name from frescoes painted with gold-based paint.
About the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum
Not too many people know about this museum, and you may even have to guide autorickshaw drivers to get here. The main reason to come to this museum is to adore the collection of vintage coins. The museum has relics, photographs, and artifacts linked with Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Marathas. It is uniquely built with a courtyard in the center. However, you may be disappointed by the minimal maintenance undertaken by the State Government.
The protagonists of our original story, Sayan and Rahul, proceeded towards lunch in the vicinity of Zostel. After a delicious meal, with the afternoon and part of the evening to spend, both spent time on their smartphones while inside the hotel. Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Aurangabad, collect their bags, and return to their hectic lives in Mumbai. “If only we could stay a little longer”, Sayan mused.
