Hidden Secrets of Bibi ka Maqbara Aurangabad-Architectural Engineering in Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad
Column
Structure in
When
the main body and dome of the Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad was built, the most modern engineering
technology available in those days was used. Earlier the buildings normally had
a load bearing structure; therefore big halls could not be constructed. In the
early seventeenth century a new engineering technology had evolved known as the
Ribbed Vault System. In modern days it is known as the Column Structure System,
wherein columns are raised using iron rods, cement, sand and small pieces of
crushed stones. In those days in the absence of modern cement, large sized
stone blocks were embedded in lime to construct column pillars. In the seventeenth
century the above technique was applied for the first time in the construction
of Bhadkal Gate at Aurangabad built by Malik Ambar in 1612 AD. Later on the
same system was applied in Bijapur in the construction of Gol Gumbad in 1626
AD. The world famous architectural engineer Percy Brown made note in his book
“Indian Architecture (Islamic Period)” that he was surprised to see the world's
biggest Gumbad (dome) constructed on the Ribbed Vault System. Percy Brown never
had the opportunity to visit the Bhadkal Gate otherwise the credit of the
technology would have been given to Malik Ambar who had applied the same in
Bhadkal Gate which was built prior to the Gol Gumbad. This technique was later
on also applied at Agra in the construction of the Taj Mahal in 1632 AD. Once
again this system was implemented at the place of its origin i.e. Aurangabad in
the construction of the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara in 1653 AD.
In
constructions where the Ribbed Vault System is used, eight columns are
vertically erected which connect with each other at the top to form an arch giving
it a ribbed conical appearance. When all the arches come together at the top,
they form a dome shape and the remaining parts between the columns are then filled
up with stones or bricks. The columns and the foundation thus bear the weight
of the dome in this type of construction. The diagram has been taken
from P. Brown's book.
Secret of the
Stone Bonding in
An
old mason belonging to an ancient mason family of Aurangabad came in contact
with the writer in 1980 AD and narrated the secret technique of stone bonding
used in column structures. The diagram is based on his narration.
According to the old mason a mixture of fresh lime powder (Kali Ka Chuna),
brown sugar (jaggery) powder, mustard seeds powder, etc. was spread smoothly
over the horizontal surface of the stone on which another stone was to be placed
with the help of a rope (refer diagram), the edges of the mixture spread over
the lower stone were slightly raised to keep the mixture from spilling off the
lower stone when the water is sprinkled. Water was then gently sprinkled over
the mixture. When water comes in contact with this special mixture, the lime
immediately gets heated due to a chemical reaction and starts boiling. As soon
as the heat reached its maximum the upper stone was then placed over the lower
stone. The heated mixture of lime and the weight of the stone being placed finally
bonded both the stones together as one; similar to how welding is done. The
liquid paste of lime mixture was applied to the vertical sides of the stone
when another stone had to be attached to it vertically. The mixture worked like
a very strong and powerful adhesive.
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Beautiful view
of the dome of Maqbara
Dr Shaikh Ramzan
M.A., M.Ed., PhD (History) Researcher
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