Bibi ka Maqbara

4.7

AurangabadHalf day

MausoleumHeritageMughal

About

Bibi ka Maqbara, meaning “the tomb of the lady,” is one of the most famous places to visit in Aurangabad. Built between 1651 and 1661 by Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, in memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum, the mausoleum is among the top attractions in Aurangabad. Closely modeled on the Taj Mahal, the structure is smaller in scale and constructed primarily from brick and plaster rather than white marble. Despite its far more modest budget of 300,000 rupees compared to the Taj Mahal’s estimated 32 million, the monument remains remarkably elegant and is often called the “Taj of the Deccan.” The formal Mughal gardens, weathered marble surfaces, and serene atmosphere give the site a distinctive melancholic beauty, making it one of the most memorable things to do in Aurangabad for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Highlights

What makes this place special

Central Mausoleum

Often described as a smaller, plaster-faced echo of the Taj Mahal, Bibi ka Maqbara is architecturally strikingly similar to the original but was constructed at a fraction of the cost, using less marble and far more stucco. This contrast is one of the reasons the monument remains among the top highlight of Aurangabad tourism.

Mughal Char Bagh

The four-quadrant Mughal garden surrounding Bibi ka Maqbara is one of the most beautiful heritage spaces in Aurangabad tourism, still irrigated by its original underground water channels and featuring working fountains on major occasions. The landscaped setting adds to the monument’s charm and makes it one of the most atmospheric places to visit in Aurangabad.