The Humayun tomb is located in Delhi in India. The Mughal Emperor Humayun died on January 20, 1556 and his wife Hamida Banu Begum started to construct this structure in 1569. The total cost of the construction was 15 lakh rupees and the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath was employed to design this architecture. After the death of Hamida Begum she was also entombed there. Also it has the tombs of many other kings and royals of Mughal time like Dara Shikoh, son of Shah Jahan, Alamgir II, Rafi Ud Daulat, Rafi Ul Darjar and Jahandar Shah.

The garden around the monument is spread over 13 hectares and the tomb stands in the center of the garden. This is a double storied structure standing over a height of seven meters. There is a passage in the southern side through which you can reach the grave. In the cenotaph of the octagonal chamber are situated the graves of the other members of the family. The arches alcoves and corridors are the synthesis of the Persian architecture. The tomb of Baber is situated on the southwestern side. It has double dome compartment and one has to climb seven steps to reach the platform. This tomb is called as Nai-Ka-Gumbad.

The height of the tomb is 47 meters and its width is 300 feet. It has a double dome measuring 42 meters and has a brass ending at the top adorned with crescent moon. The outer layer is made of white marble and the remaining portions of the structure are made of red sandstone. The interior floor plan is complex with its chambers and the burial chamber lies within the octagonal sepulcher. The emperor Humayun is placed in the north south direction with his face turned towards Mecca as per the traditions of Islam. However what one sees on the cenotaph is only a duplicate structure and the real tomb lies in underground chamber exactly below that.

The Humayun tomb is placed at the center of the Char Bagh Garden which is a Persian style garden. It has four squares with water channels running amidst them. This is one of the oldest Mughal gardens. The whole complex is located with the walls on three sides and River Yamuna borders the fourth side. There is a bath chamber called as Hammam near the northern wall. Many monuments are found on the pathway that leads to the Humayun tomb. You can find the tomb and mosque of Isa Khan, Bu Halima’s Tomb and Garden, Afsarwala Tomb and mosque, Arab Sarai, Nila Gumbad and the residence of the Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia on the way.

From the top of the tomb you can have a bird’s eye view of the ruined structures of the ancient period. During the First War of Indian Independence in 1857, the then Emperor Bahadur Shah took refuge in this tomb and later surrendered to the British. Humayun tomb is open to all from sunrise to sunset and the people of India and neighboring countries should pay an entrance of 10 INR per head and other foreigners should pay $5. The entrance is free for children up to 15 years old. This is a must see historical structure in Delhi.

Article Posted By : Sumazla  On January 10, 2012lView All Articles

Suhaina Mazhar is a freelance content writer and blogger and has written thousands of original articles. http://sumazla.blogspot.com is her blog.

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Keywords :
Humayun Tomb , humayun tomb delhi , mughal architecture