HUMAYUN TOMB DELHI, INDIA

Humayun's Tomb As the name suggests, Humayun's tomb is the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Located in the Nizamuddin East area of Delhi, it is the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent. This splendid piece of architecture was commissioned for construction by Humayun's chief consort empress Bega Begum in the year 1569-70 and is one of the very few structures that used red sandstone on such a massive scale at that time. The design of Humayun's tomb is a typical Mughal architecture with Persian influences and was conceptualised by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath. Owing to its magnificent design and illustrious history, Humayun's Tomb was featured in UNESCO's World Heritage List in the year 1993.

The architectural genius of Humayun's tomb is hard to miss. This magnificent tomb sits in the middle of a huge, ornate Mughal Garden and its beauty is only enhanced during the winter months. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, this mausoleum is also home to the remains of many other Mughals, including his wives, son and descendants of the later Emperor Shah Jahan, as well as numerous other subsequent Mughals.

The Tomb Complex located in the middle of a garden complex, Humayun’s tomb is built on a raised platform of 7 m height. The garden around the tomb is Char Bagh garden, which is typical Persian layout, symbolizing the garden of paradise.

The Humayun’s tomb is 47 m high and 91 m wide, while the domes have the height of 42.5 m. Its red sandstone structure, with white marble double domes creates an impressive sight. Lattice work, pietra dura floors and attics add on to the overall beauty of the tomb.

There are many prominent buildings inside the Humayun’s tomb complex consisting of tombs, mosques along with an accommodation. Arab Sarai, Nila Guband and Bu Halima are a few of the buildings worth noticing.

There are around 150 tombs in the entire Humayun’s tomb complex, while the tombs of Bega Begum, Hamida Banu Begum, Dara Shikoh and Isa Khan are situated within the main complex of the tomb.

Along with these, there are also tombs of other Mughal royals such as Emperor Jahandar Shah, Muhammad Kam Bakhsh Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ud-Daulat, Rafi Ul-Darjat, and Alamgir II.

Outside the Humayun’s complex, shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a sufi saint from 14th century is located. It was considered auspicious to be buried near the shrine, hence many Mughal royals were buried at the Humayun’s tomb complex.