Hidden Secrets of Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad- Splendid Design of Main Entrance Gate
Within
the archway of the main majestic entrance gate of the Maqbara, the two teakwood
openings, every 15 feet[1] in
height and quite a few inches in thickness are covered with a coating of
ornamented brass plates. The geometrical design on brass plates are rectilinear
in form and are divided from each other by small ridges about one-sixth of an
inch in height.[2]
The effect of the sashes is ornamented with floral designs inlaid with brass
pieces into iron plates.[3] Intarsia of copper designs with inlaid brass coatings in shutting formation is
very impressive in comparison to the style used in the Taj. The design of the brass
coated panels on the gate of the Maqbara certainly surpasses the design of the
panels on the gate of the Taj.[4]
The credit goes to the superintendent Aaqa Abdul Qasim Beg, the architect
Ataullah and the engineer Hanspatrai who was instrumental in constructing this
gate.
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| Brass Door of Main Entrance Gate |
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| Ornamental Design on the Brass Door of the Main Entrance Gate |
Persian Inscription on the Brass Door
The
two Persian inscriptions engraved in the form of a skirting on the brass plates
of the left-hand opening panel on the middle rail of the main door areas
follows:
First
Inscription
Dar Ain Rauza Munawara Dar Memari Ataullah
Ba-amal Hanspat Rai Tayyarshuda 1071 (H)
Translation:
“The gateway of this illuminated mausoleum
was built by Ataullah the architect and Hanspatrai the engineer in 1071 AH
(1660 AD).”
Note:
Ataullah was the son of Ustad Ahmed Lahori, the principal designer of the Taj
Mahal.
Second
Inscription
Ain Darwazah Ba Ehtemam Rafat Panah Aaqa
Abulqasim Yak Daroga Tayyarshuda
Translation:
“The gate was built under the supervision of
the exalted Aaqa Abdul Qasim Beg, the Superintendent.”
The
design on the pediment of the door panels in woodwork was later copied in
designing door panels in a number of buildings of Aurangabad which were
constructed subsequently.
The
main gate structure looks like a small double storied decorated palace in
itself, consisting of a lofty central arch with wings on either side. The central arch rises up to the height of the gate.
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| Geometrical Design on Brass |
The intrusions and the extrusions along the voussoir are ornamented in stucco plaster[5]which increases the beauty of the main entrance gate.
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| Ornamental Work on the Main Entrance Gate |
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| Ornamental Work on the Main Entrance Gate |
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Within
the archway of this majestic entrance, there is a large chamber surmounted with
a stellar vaulting roof and the diamond cut moulding of the interior portion of
the dome is painted in multicolour fresco decoration in geometrical patterns.[7]
Symmetrical fret and running fret. Ornamentation on the facade of the flat roof
of the entrance has been designed in an indoor flower pattern.[8]
The two loggias facing each other inside the entrance gateways are fully
decorated in eye-catching colours.[9]
The walls and ceilings are tastefully ornamented with paintings of flowers many
of which still retain their original nature.[10]
To the right and the left are small raised platforms constructed apparently for
the guards.[11]
Spacious
rooms have been constructed on both sides behind these loggias to keep records[12]
and weapons, etc. The colourful graffiti pattern on the dado[13]
based on the honeysuckle, rose and acanthus plants are highly rich in their
workmanship. The mosaic tiles of this pattern have not been noticed in any
other part of India so far.
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| Ornamentation in the Side Wing of the Main Entrance Gate |
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| Geometrical Design on the Roof of the Side Wing of the Main Entrance Gate |
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| Outside Wing of Main Entrance Gate |
The main entrance gate is constructed at such a distance from the mausoleum from where one can have a complete view of the Maqbara.
A
small cistern 28 feet 6½ inches in length, 18 feet in width and 4 feet deep,
having impressive fountains in the centre is built on the red stone platform of
the entrance gate. One can see the reflection of the Maqbara in the water of this cistern which is the glory of the Maqbara.
The picturesque entrance gate raised at the southern wall of the Maqbara opens
directly into the garden. It measures a length of 150 feet and a width of 100
feet. The gateway is an admirable specimen[14]
of the Mughal architecture in the Deccan.
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| Outside Wing No. 2 of Main Entrance Gate |
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| Highly skilled painting on the side chamber of Main Entrance Gate |
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| Beautiful Painting on the Roof of the Main Entrance Gate |
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View of the Main Entrance Gate from the Backside
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The
masonry of the entrance gate consists of huge pieces of stones, bound together
very firmly. It consists of a lofty central arch with two-storied wings on
either side.[15]
The whole structure of the main gate is in the form of a hexagon and the angles
are ornamented with six small minarets.[16]
M.A., M.Ed., PhD (History) Researcher
[1] Bilgrami, op. cit., p. 222
[2] J. Sarkar, “Glimpses of Mughal
Architectures”, op. cit. Picture page no. 23
[3] Photo plate p. 41
[4] Hambly Gavin, “Cities of Mughal
India”, (Delhi B.S.P.O., 1968), Plate No. 72
[5] Stucco Plaster design, photo plate
p. 46
[6] Ornamental designs, Photo plate
p.48
[7] Photo plate showing geometrical
pattern, p. 48, 50
[8] Photo plate showing flower pattern,
p.42
[9] Photo plate p.48, 50, 53
[10] Photo plate showing flower
ornamentation in painting, p. 52
[11] Epigraphica India, Arabic and
Persian Supplement, 1951 and 1952, p. 35 and Bilgrami, op. cit., p.223
[12] Chambers of the entrance gates were
generally used as the record room. Mostly the 'Parwana' for entrance was issued
from the gate and records were maintained.
[13] Epigraphica Indica, op. cit., p. 35
[14] Burrows, op. cit., p. 376
[15] Photo plate, p. 47
[16] Aurangabad District Gazetteers, p.
951
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