Dilras Banu Begum had delivered her baby boy, Muhammad Akbar. It was a month after the birth, but she was sick due to complications from her delivery and could not recover.

Her death, caused her husband, Aurangazeb, the ruling Mughal emperor of the time, heartbreak and sorrow. He asked his son Azam Shah to build a mausoleum which would be Dilras’ final resting place.

Aurangzeb’s father, Shah Jahan was building the Taj Mahal, also a mausoleum to bury his wife, the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth.

It seems likely that the Taj was used as a reference and a similar looking mausoleum was built for Dilras Banu Begum.

The mausoleum was known as Bibi Ka Maqbara or Tomb of the Lady, Rabia-ul-Durrani. Dilras’ name was changed after her burial to Rabia-ul-Durrani.

While the architecture and design of the Taj is spectacular, stunning, and incredibly beautiful, Bibi Ka Maqbara is a modestly designed monument.

Fountains and gardens are found on the way to the mausoleum.

The mausoleum stands on an immense platform and has four minarets, each adorning the four corners. A marble encased dome crowns the mausoleum.  A mosque stands to the left of the mausoleum which was a later addition by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Marble and basalt are used to build the mausoleum. Detailed carvings and designs are seen inside and outside.

Rabia-ul-Durrani is buried below ground level, surrounded by an octagonal shaped marble screen. The first level entrance allows visitors to view the tomb below and the dome above.

Aurangzeb enforced heavy budget restrictions when building the mausoleum, for reasons known to him, but it achieved its purpose of beauty and functionality.

Looking at the current state of the mausoleum, it is apparent that the mausoleum is in need of repair and maintenance, however it seems there are budget restrictions again.

If you have visited the Taj, Bibi ka Maqbara will remind you of it, at first glance.

However as you see the monument up close you will notice that Bibi ka Maqbara has its own features and design. Perhaps it aspires to be like the Taj Mahal, but it does not have the resplendence of the Taj.

I do not want to compare the two, since both were creations of different men. What matters is the women they loved were given an honorable resting place.

Travel

Aurangabad is the nearest city connected by rail, air and road.

Bibi ka Maqbara is within the city limits and is easily reachable from anywhere in Aurangabad

Travel Tips

Bibi ka Maqbara can be done as a side trip when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

Since Ellora Caves are closer to Aurangabad, club your visit to Bibi Ka Maqbara with it.

The city can be very hot and dry in the day. Plan you visit early morning as soon as it opens before going to visit the Ellora Caves.

Hire a cab for the full day to cover both sites.

Check for entry fees, opening hours and holidays on the Aurangabad Tourism Site