India boasts of the iconic Taj Mahal Agra for the architectural wonder you will know about the replica Taj Mahal-like Bibi ka Maqbara in Aurangabad, Itmad-ud Daula Agra. Bulandshehar tomb, Hessing’s tomb and some others. Most of us are familiar with such names and know that Taj Mahal lies in Agra Uttar Pradesh. Less known fact is that Bibi ka Maqbara bears the top striking similarity with the Taj Mahal Agraand this is also called mini Taj Mahal. This tomb is situated only 6 kms away from Aurangabad city. This tomb was built during the tenure of Aurangzeb who built only few buildings as he had apathy towards Architecture. Dilras Bano Begum alias Rabia.

This beautiful tomb was built by the son of Aurangjeb prince Azam and he dedicated this tomb for his mother Rabia-Ud-Daurani. It was built in 1678 just 25 years after the cpmpletion of Taj Mahal . Despite similarity in pattern and garden style it is a dwarf in comparison to the Taj Mahal. This is why is the epithet as the Mini Taj Mahal. Aurangzeb appointed Azam shah to conserve Taj Mahal and study the features to implement them in Bibi ka Maqbara. He allotted fund of 7 lack rupees to construct it. The expenditure cost is mentioned nearly 6.68 lakh by Gulam Mustafa in his book. This tomb has the same Char Bag layout and the white marble dome like the Taj Mahal. The prince wanted to make the tomb more impressive then Taj Mahal but could not on account of crunch of finance allotted.

Like tha Taj Mahal it has four minarets but they are less impressive then the Taj Mahal minarets. Besides the dome other parts have plaster work in comparison to the Taj Mahal which is fully coated with pure white Makrana marble.

The architects behind the Taj Mahal were Ustad Isa and Ustad Ahmad Lahori. The architect of Bibi ka Maqbara was Ata ullah khan from Iran who was the son of Ustad Ahmad Lahori. This mausoleum has almost the same story like that of Taj Mahal. Lady Dilras who was from royal clan was the most favorite wife of Shahjahan. She also died during the child birth like her mother in law-Mumtaz Mahal. She bore five children and unfortunately at the time of 5th delivery she died on account of complications.

She was so close to the heart of the emperor and the childrenthat both of them were grief stricken and made themselves aloof from the activities for months. Thus the son embarked on the task of supreme tribute to the mother and decided to erect a mausoleum on the bank of river Kham flowing in those days. Thus set in charbagh style with 16 subdivisions it has 12 door baradari on north, the south is the main entrance gate, on to the west is a mosque to make it a rauza E Munawwaralike in Taj mahal. Contrast is created in east by making Aina khana or the mirror palace The interiors of the dome are beautifully decorated with the marble floral carvings. There is also a water tank and a series of fountains. The entire premise is enclosed within the wall like the Taj Mahal complex. The arches of the dome and the lattice work is similar to the jali work done in the Taj Mahal.

If you are interested to find striking similarities you can make a plan for Agra tour Packages and Aurangabad Tour. Taj Mahal Agra can easily be approached from Delhi or Jaipur for Bibi ka Maqbara you have to land at Aurangabad airport or arrive at Aurangabad railway station. You can also drive from Mumbai to Aurangabad in 6 to 7 hours.