Did You Know India Has 2 Taj Mahals.. And No We aren't Talking About Taj Hotels !!

There is a monument identical to the famous, Taj Mahal, built by none other than Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's grandson Prince Azam Shah. Known as Bibi Ka Maqbara ("Tomb of the Lady"), it was built by Prince Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb, between 1651 and 1661 A.D, in the memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Bibi ka Maqbara isnt as magnificent as Taj Mahal, even so, it is an architectural wonder with intricate designs, carved motifs, imposing structure and beautifully landscaped Mughal-style garden. Due to its strong resemblance to the Taj Mahal, it is lovingly called the "Taj of the Deccan".

1. Bibi Ka Maqbara is situated 5 km away from Aurangabad.

2. The architect of the monument was a Persian named Ustad - Ata - Ullah. The inscription on the walls of the tomb reveals that it costed Rs. 665,283 and 7 Annas to build this monument i.e. Aurangzeb allocated only Rs. 7,00,000 for its construction.

3. Bibi Ka Maqbara has four towering minarets like Taj Mahal. An octagonal lattice-screen of white marble surrounds the raised plinth supporting Rabia Daurani's grave inside the tomb. The tips of its pillars are made of red stone. The monument becomes so beauty when its reflection falls on the water as soon as the sun's first rays fall on it.



4. Despite the layout and surrounding of the tomb is very much similar to Taj Mahal, somehow the architecture fails to produce the magic of the Taj. Hence, it is considered to be a poor imitation of the Taj Mahal.

5. The construction work on the mausoleum was started in the year 1651 and it took approximately 10 years to complete it.

6. The mausoleum stands in a square of 1,37,00 sq. meters.

7. Set amid large beautifully landscaped Moghal-style gardens some 457 by 274 metres and surrounded by high walls with bastions set at intervals, and open pavilions on three sides, it is an excellent example of Persian Architecture.