Hidden behind a cluster of buildings across from the Navapura Police Station, the modest dome of the “Panch Bibi No Haziro” (Tomb of the Five Ladies) stands out. Though unassuming compared to other city structures, this tomb holds a unique historical and local significance.
The Resting Place
The tomb is the final resting place of six individuals, despite its name suggesting only five. Legend has it that the five graves belong to five sisters from the Saiyyad Family of Nadiad, who had settled in Vadodara. The sixth grave is believed to be that of Rehmandada, a local figure who, according to lore, spent much time at the tomb and wished to be buried there. Although the exact date of its construction is unclear, it is thought to date back around 400 years.
A Tale of Repentance
A local legend adds a layer of mystique to the tomb. The story goes that five beautiful ladies were once walking through a field when a prince, captivated by their beauty, began pursuing them on horseback. Fearing his advances, the ladies prayed to be swallowed by the earth to escape him. Their prayer was answered, and they were absorbed into the ground. Filled with remorse for his actions, the prince constructed the tomb over the site where they vanished.
Architectural Features
The tomb is a small, square structure crowned with a dome. It features large cusped arches on each side, which are softened by smaller niches and openings. Among these is a small arched opening above the central door. The building is decorated with niches of varying sizes and shapes, and a “merlon” patterned parapet with a projecting “chajja.”
Like other tombs in the city, the dome rests on squinches and is supported by an octagonal drum. The dome’s string course is adorned with petal-like motifs, culminating in a finial at the top. Originally constructed with marble, the tomb has been coated with white plaster over time.
Once surrounded by forest, the tomb now sits amid a concrete jungle, with plants growing from its surface, adding to its timeless charm and quiet resilience.
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