The beautiful mausoleum of Aurangezeb’s wife is believed to have been constructed by prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother Rabia-ul Durrani alias Dilras Banu Begum between circa 1651-1661 A.D. An inscription in the premises mentions that this mausoleum was designed and erected by Ata-Ulla, an architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer. As the mausoleum resembles the Taj Mahal of Agra (1631-1653), it is known as the ‘Taj of Deccan’. The grave is simple, devoid of ornamentation, surrounded with marble screens of exquisite designs, finely worked brass doors and stucco floral motifs rank this maqbara among the best of beautiful Mughal buildings of the Deccan.
Aurangabad is a place of my study as it proudly houses some of the most beautiful fabrics in Maharashtra, the Paithani sari and the Himroo- a brocaded fabric. As this post speaks about the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, I would prefer to write about the textiles of Aurangabad and its intricacies in some other post.
“Observing the beautiful designs worked on the doors and walls of the mausoleum, I was wondering whether these designs could have influenced Himroo weaving in any ways as many pattern designs of many Indian traditional textiles are influenced by the architecture of the surrounding region.”
Brass door with elaborately worked on Irises
One of the favourite Mughal motif: the Lily
1 comment:
I have been here twice.
And never once did I notice the designs you have photographed.
I amsuch a philistine!
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