Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · monument
Bahu Begum ka Maqbara, popularly called the "Taj of the East," is the grandest heritage monument on the Faizabad side of the Ayodhya twin-city, and one of the tallest structures in the district at roughly 42 metres. It was raised in memory of Begum Unmatuzzohra Bano — remembered affectionately across Awadh as Bahu Begum, the dignified consort of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula — who died on 27 January 1816. Built at the then-enormous cost of about three lakh rupees, the tomb was designed by the master builder Darab Ali Khan, whose ambition was to echo the serene marble grandeur of the Taj Mahal on the fertile plains of Oudh. The result is a soaring, symmetrical composition often praised by nineteenth-century chroniclers as "the finest building of the kind in Oudh."
Bahu Begum ka Maqbara, popularly called the "Taj of the East," is the grandest heritage monument on the Faizabad side of the Ayodhya twin-city, and one of the tallest structures in the district at roughly 42 metres.
the maqbara has no eatery of its own, so plan to eat in the pure-vegetarian bazaars nearby. Faizabad-Ayodhya is a devout, largely vegetarian belt where trusted pure-veg counters serve kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, and the famous local khurchan and peda — though because the Faizabad side does include mixed kitchens, it is wise to confirm a place is fully pure-veg on arrival before ordering.
Verified: August 2026
Address
Near Chowk, Jawahar Bagh, Faizabad (Ayodhya district), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224001
How to Reach: In the Jawahar Bagh area near Chowk, Faizabad, about 6-7 km from the main Ayodhya temple cluster. From Ayodhya Dham railway station an auto-rickshaw costs roughly ₹120-180 (20-25 minutes); from Faizabad (Ayodhya Cantt) junction it is a short ₹40-60 auto ride. Shared autos ply the Faizabad-Ayodhya road frequently; best combined with the nearby Gulab Bari on the same trip.
It is reported to open daily from roughly 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (sunrise to sunset), with no fixed weekly closing day. Timings can vary seasonally, so it is best to confirm locally, especially in winter when daylight is shorter. Early morning and the hour before sunset are the most rewarding times for light and views.
A small caretaker/maintenance entry fee of around ₹25 is commonly reported for the monument and its garden, with modest extra charges sometimes applied for cameras. Fees are nominal and revised periodically, so please confirm the current amount at the ticket counter on arrival.
The nickname reflects its scale, its pale marble finish, and the architect Darab Ali Khan's ambition to evoke the Taj Mahal's grandeur on the plains of Oudh. Rising to about 42 metres, it is among the tallest structures in the district and was long praised as "the finest building of the kind in Oudh." It remains the grandest heritage monument on the Faizabad side of the Ayodhya twin-city.
It is the mausoleum of Begum Unmatuzzohra Bano, remembered across Awadh as Bahu Begum, the consort of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula. She died on 27 January 1816, and the tomb was built in her memory at a cost of about three lakh rupees, designed by the master builder Darab Ali Khan in the distinctive Awadhi (Nawabi) architectural style.
It stands in the Jawahar Bagh area near Chowk in Faizabad, about 6-7 km from the main Ayodhya temple cluster. An auto-rickshaw from Ayodhya Dham railway station costs roughly ₹120-180 (20-25 minutes); from Faizabad (Ayodhya Cantt) junction it is a short ₹40-60 ride. Shared autos run frequently along the Faizabad-Ayodhya road, and the visit pairs well with the nearby Gulab Bari.
There is no eatery inside the monument, so plan to eat in the surrounding bazaars. Pure-veg sweet and namkeen counters around Chowk in Faizabad are trusted for khurchan, peda and kachori-sabzi, while the Ayodhya side has dependable pure-vegetarian mithai shops and the free Ram Rasoi and bhandara kitchens for pilgrims. Because the Faizabad side can include mixed kitchens, confirm a place is fully pure-veg on arrival before ordering.
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