Humayun's Tomb

Through passageways crowded with tourists, believers and supplicants , past exotic bazaars to a destination where earthly clamour falls away and a deep tranquillity seeps in, welcome to the mausoleum of Humayun.

Said to be the forerunner of the incomparable Taj and the first garden tomb of the Mughals, the Humayun's tomb is one of the major attractions of Delhi. This mausoleum is said to be the first mature example of Mughal architecture in India and is heavily dictated by the Persian mores. Humayun was the son of Babur( the founder of the Mughal empire in India ). After his death, Humayun established his capital in Delhi but he couldn't maintain it for long as he was defeated by the Afghan ruler, Sher Shah Suri. He lived in exile for long and later returned to Delhi but failed to breathe in the air of Delhi for long and died unexpectedly from a fall in 1556.

The tomb was built by Humayun's Persian widow Haji Begum. Mirak Miyaz Ghiyaz is said to be the chief architect. It took him about nine years to complete the construction of the tomb. The monument was deemed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993.

Architectural Radiance
Humayun's Tomb reflects the traditional Islamic style of architecture. The bulbous dome, geometric patterns, high arches, spire, lattice stone windows, geometric proportions etc. are some of the specialities of the Islamic architecture. The tomb is ornamented with white and black marble. A high wall surrounds the garden on three sides, the fourth side being bounded by what was once the bank of the river Jamuna, which has since been diverted. The garden is divided into four parts by two bisecting water channels. The rooms of the tomb houses numerous tombs of the royal family.
The De Facto
Location - South of Purana Quila, Delhi
Spawned In - 1565
Area - 700 acres
Best Time To Visit - November to February
Timings - open all the days from sunrise to sunset
Entrance Tariff - Rs. 10 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners.

Access
Humayun's tomb is located in the eastern part of Delhi near the Nizammudin railway station. Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city, or, alternatively, they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis for the purpose. There are regular buses from important bus termini like the Inter-State Bus Terminus at Kashmere Gate and Sarai Kale Khan and Connaught Place to this monument. Local guided tours conducted by Delhi Tourism and private operators cover this important monument.

Did You Know?

• Some Historians are of the view that Akbar, son of Humayun must have lent his genius in the making of the first great Mughal mausoleum.
• Humayun was temporarily buried in his favourite library where he met his end.