HUMAYUN'S TOMB
INTRODUCTION
The Humayun's Tomb was a landmark in establishing some
of the essential norms for later Mughal mausoleums in India.
Humayun’s Tomb, in Delhi, was one of the first garden
tombs that was made in India. Designed by Humayun’s
widow, this tomb was based on the description of Islamic
Paradise Gardens and served as an inspiration for many of
the later Mughul landmark architectures, including the famous
Taj Mahal. This kind of a garden, the first of its kind
in the sub continent is called Charbagh as the garden is
divided into four parts. Humayun’s Tomb, built in
the year 1570 has been labeled as a World Heritage Site
of UNESCO and a protected monument under Archeological Survey
of India.
HISTORY OF HUMAYUN'S TOMB
Humayun, who took over the Mughul Dynasty after Babar’s
death was overthrown by Sher Shah Suri after ruling for
about a decade. But he regained his throne back around 1555,
but was not able to enjoy his kingdom for a long time anymore.
He died in an accident as he fell from the stairs of his
library. His widow; Haji Begum or Bega begum, the Persian
wife of Humayun took the charge of constructing a tomb for
her husband. Built with the help of Persian Architect Mirak
Mirza Ghiyuath, Humayun’s tomb, Delhi clearly shows
signs of Persian influence. It was the first building to
be made during the reign of Akbar.
DESCRIPTION OF HUMAYUN'S TOMB
 Humayun's
Tomb was the first garden tomb made in India. The garden is
divided into 36 squares by a grid of water channels and paths.
The square garden is surrounded by a high rubble wall divided
initially into four large squares separated by causeways and
channels, each square divided again into smaller squares by
pathways creating a char bagh. The laying down of the gardens
in the Persian style was introduced by Babur and continued
till the period of Shah Jahan.
The entry to the Humayun's Tomb is through a long axial
processional track. On the way, there are gateways, which
offer a glimpse of the tomb. The tomb is octagonal in shape
and placed over a platform with colonnades, under which
there are numerous graves of lesser known people and can
be ascribed to various nobles and workers of Humayun's period.
A great central chamber has four offsets, double storeyed
in height and with arcade on their facades. Their openings
closed with perforated screens. Three emphatic arches dominate
each side, the central one being the highest. The central
room contains the cenotaph of the emperor Humayun. And his
queen Bega begum. The tomb is crowned by 42.5 m high colossal
double dome.
The structure is built mainly with red sandstone along with
use of white and black marble to relieve the monotony. The
marble is used largely in the borders. The dome is made
of white marble. The Humayun's tomb is the first Indian
building to use the Persian concept of a double dome.
The enclosure is entered through two eminent double-storeyed
gateways, one on the west and the other on the south. The
southern gateway remains closed nowadays. The baradari or
the pavilion occupies the center of the eastern wall and
the hamam or the bath chamber the center of northern wall.
The Humayun's Tomb is a protected monument under the ownership
of Archaeological Survey of India. It is the first significant
example of the Mughal architecture with high arches and
double dome, which occurs for the first time in India.
HOW TO REACH HUMAYUN'S TOMB
Air- Delhi has an international Airport,
the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Taxi and Coach
Transfer, pre paid taxis, air conditioned and non A/C coaches
all can take you to the Humayun’s Tomb from the Airport.
Rail- Delhi is also the hub of Indian
railways Network with trains running to and from all parts
of the country.
Road- Buses from all the major places
in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi.
During the summer months, air-conditioned coaches are recommended.
Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) operates special services
from railway stations to different parts of the city.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to March
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