“ Perhaps the most famous Islamic struture is the Taj Mahal in Agra, india,built (1632–48) by the Mughal ruler.....”
" The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone."
Imitating Tajmahal
The Bibi Ka Maqbara is made mostly of sandstone and has plastered walls (a cost cutting measure), and a marble dome. The expert - Ustad Ata-mullahs came from Persia. Bibi Ka Maqbara is known as the South Indian Taj Mahal. However, if the delicacy of work is compared, it falls far short of the glory of the Taj at Agra. Below the tomb, lattice works are in marble. However, the lattice work and inlay decorations of flowers and creepers are beautiful. The Masjid is to the west. A high wall with bastions runs around edifice and the recesses have little minarets.
The entrance leads to an arch and from this point, a fine view of the structure ahead may be obtained. The pavement that leads to mausoleum is flanked by oblong reservoirs.
Situated about 5 kms from the city is Bibi Ka Maqbara, the burial place of Aurangzeb's 1st wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra, termed as the poor man's Taj Mahal. Bibi Ka Maqbara was built by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in the late 17th century as a loving tribute to his mother, Dilras Bano Begam. The monument's name translates literally to 'Tomb of the Lady', but has earned the nickname 'poor man’s Taj' because it was made to rival the Taj Mahal. It is situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The tomb in itself represents the transition from the ostentatious architecture of Akbar and Shah Jahan to the simple architecture of the Later Mughals.The interior decoration has nothing comparable with the great architectural wonder at Agra. Yet a comparison apart, Bibi-ka-Maqbara has its own splendour and grace. It is considered as a fine piece of Moghul architecture in the Deccan region.
The comparison to the Taj Mahal has resulted in a general ignorance of the monument.
