Humayun's tomb-Location, Introduction, How to reach, History & Interesting Facts

Humayun's tomb-Location, Introduction, How to reach, History & Interesting Facts

Introduction

Location: On Mathura Road, near the crossing with Lodi Road.

Timings: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset

Preferred Timings: Late afternoon is the best time to see Humayun's Tomb, because the natural light aids photography

Admission Fee: INR 10 for citizens/ INR 250 for foreigners

How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located on Mathura Road or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or take the metro rail

Humayun's tomb is a complex of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb, commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 CE, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect.It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, and is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India, close to the Dina-panah citadel also known as Purana Qila, that Humayun founded in 1533. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale

The complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and since then has undergone extensive restoration work, which is still underway.

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

History & Interesting Facts:

• Humayun’s tomb was commissioned by Humayun's wife, Hamida Banu Begum, in 1562 CE.
• The tomb was built by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghiyuath.
• Humayun's Tomb has been labeled as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993.
• The tomb is located close to the Dina-panah citadel, also known as Purana Qila. The site was primarily chosen on the banks of Yamuna River, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celebrated Sufi saint of Delhi, Nizamuddin Auliya.
• The grave of Emperor Humayun is located in the central mortuary room of the tomb. Apart from this, a number of other Mughal luminaries, such as Hamida Begum (Akbar's mother), Dara Shikoh (Shah Jahan's son) and Bahadur Shah II (last Mughal Emperor), were also buried herein.
• The regal grave of Emperor Humayun is surrounded by adjacent rooms that house the tombs of two of Humayun's begums and the later Mughals.
• This tomb is considered the first garden-tomb built in the Indian subcontinent and was the first to use the Persian double dome.
• Humayun’s Tomb is a reflection of the architectural excellence of the Mughals, characterized by high arches and double domes.
• The tomb has proved to be an inspiration for some of the major architectural innovations, one of which is the glorious Taj Mahal.