Bibi Ka Maqbara

Bibi Ka Maqbara is a Mughal tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, commissioned in 1660 by Prince Azam Shah, son of the emperor Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Bibi Ka Maqbara is so closely modelled on the Taj Mahal that it is often called the Taj of the Deccan.

The tomb was designed by the architect Ata-ullah, whose father, Ustad Ahmad Lahori, is credited as the chief architect of the Taj Mahal. It is smaller than the Taj, and because of cost it uses marble mainly for the dome and lower walls, with fine lime plaster polished to look like marble elsewhere. Dilras Banu Begum, known by the title Rabia-ud-Daurani, was Aurangzeb's first wife, and Bibi Ka Maqbara is one of the largest Mughal monuments in the Deccan. It stands in a walled garden with water channels and fountains in the charbagh style, and it is rarely as crowded as the Taj, which makes it pleasant for photographs.

What to see

• The white central dome and four minarets, reflected in the long water channel
• The grave itself, visible through an octagonal screen from the platform
• Stucco and marble carving on the walls and the brass-plated entrance door
• The mosque on the west side of the garden
• The hills of Aurangabad behind, best at sunset

What to wear

Bibi Ka Maqbara is a tomb and historic monument, so dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Shoes are removed before you climb onto the tomb platform, and the marble can be very hot at midday, so bring socks. Wear a hat and light cotton for the walk through the garden. In the old city you may see women in the Paithani saree or salwar kameez, and Himroo shawls, a local silk and cotton weave, are sold in nearby shops.

Local food to try

The old city of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is known for naan qalia, a Mughal-era mutton curry with flatbread, and for biryani and kebabs in its Muslim neighbourhoods, mostly halal. Vegetarians can try misal pav, pithla bhakri, and puran poli, a sweet flatbread stuffed with lentils and jaggery. Tea stalls near the entrance serve chai and snacks.

Good to know

• Best time: October to March; late afternoon for the softest light on the dome
• Open daily, daylight hours
• Entry fee at the gate; foreign visitors pay a higher rate than Indian nationals
• Allow about an hour
• In Begumpura, about 5 km from the centre of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
• Photography allowed in the gardens; drones and tripods need permission

Nearby places

Bibi Ka Maqbara is in the city, about 15 km from Daulatabad Fort and 30 km from the Ellora Caves. The Ajanta Caves are about 100 km north, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum is also in the city.