To believe that there are two Taj Mahals in India might surprise many but to some extent, this is true. There is a replica of the Taj at Aurangabad, Maharashtra, fondly called as the “Taj of the Deccan”. While the famed Taj at Agra was a zenith of commemoration of true love a prince for her princess, the replica is made by a son for his mother!   

The Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by Prince Azam Shah - son Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb – for his mother Rabia-ul-Daurani. Built in 1661 A.D, the structure was designed by the son of the chief architect involved in the Taj Mahal. Like its famed foil, this structure too is a genuine testimony of the typical Mughal architecture with a Persian style of garden layout thrown in.

The Bibi ka Maqbara mausoleum has four minarets at its corners and visitors can access it from three sides. A series of fountains dot the gateway leading to the tomb with lush green gardens around the main structure. Unlike the Taj, this building does not have the use of marble entirely and that’s why, it lacks the dazzle and glow. This is the reason it’s also called as the “Poor’s Man Taj”.