Humayun Tomb is an architectural brilliance and the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. The mausoleum has a striking similarity with the Taj Mahal in Agra, one of the wonders of the world. Because of its awesome grandeur, UNESCO designated it as one of the World Heritage Site. Tomb was built in the middle of beautiful garden and it was the first garden tomb made in India. Beautiful grid of water channels and paths lined up in 36 squares. The garden was laid down in Persian style by Mughal emperor Babur. The entry to the Humayun Tomb is through a long axial processional track. 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. Huge central chamber or hall is double storeyed and beautifully crafted arcade on their facades. A cenotaph of Humayun and his queen Bega Begum were built in the central chamber. The Tomb is double dome with a height of 42.5 m. The whole structure was built by red sandstone punctuated with red and white marbles to break the sameness. It is the first monument in India that built on the Persian style. There are two double storeyed gateway though now a days one gateways is always closed. A beautiful bath chamber is in the center of northern wall.
Alex, a backpacker from Germany says, "Taj Mahal...incredible, Humayun Tomb is same but only difference is Taj is white .....the rest is very much the same - except that the Humayun tomb has much less tourists and is not as well preserved.....a jewel in the middle of a crazy city."
Who Designed It ?
Tomb was credited to Humayun elder widow Haji Begum. She had decided to built a Tomb for his husband but the main architects behinds it were Sayyid Muhammad and his father, Mirak Sayyid Ghiyath (Mirak Mirza Ghiyas),persian architects and poets worked in the Timurid and later the Mughal court. They made it in the center of a garden in the classical Mughal 'char bagh' pattern.
Red Fort
The huge bastion of emperor Shah Jahan is one of the world heritage site. The Fort is one of the main historic monuments and prime attraction among tourists. Made up of red sandstone, bulging with turrets and bastions, Red Fort was the silent witness of several cabals, battles, scandals. It had also seen the rage of first war of independence in India.
Akshardham Temple
Delhi has some modern architectural marvels. One of them is recently built Akshardham Temple. Temple has huge complex represents 10,000 years of Indian culture , beauty, bliss and wisdom. It actually an enlightened journey through India’s glorious heritage, traditions and timeless spiritual message.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is one of the world’s oldest astronomical observatories. It has fourteen major geometric device for measuring time, predicting solar eclipse, tracking star movement, determining the celestial altitude and related ephemerides. It is located south of Connaught place. One of the major attraction is Samrat Clock, which is the largest clock in the world about 90 feet high.
Humayun Tomb, despite being little bit neglected has a tremendous grandeur, which fascinates visitors. the architectural brilliance is a pride heritage for India.
“History speaks fot itself when i entered the Tomb, although i witnessed some near by slums but the glory of the monument was such i was totally engrossed.” ended Alex.
Location : East Of New Delhi
When To Go: The Through out the year.
Getting There
As Humayun Tomb is located in Delhi, the capital city of India, it is very much accessible by any means of Transport from any part of India.
By Air : Delhi has two airport, one is Indira Gandhi International airport, which is connected with major cities all over the world and another one is Palam airport that is well connected with all the major cities of India. One can easily find taxis, hired cab from the airport, from airport to east Delhi will take about 40 minutes.
By Rail : New Delhi and Old Delhi railways stations hosts almost every trains from every part of the country. It is well connected with major cities and major places in India. There are also superfast trains like Shatabdi express and Rajdhani, which runs from the New Delhi railways station.
By Road : One can easily travel through road as road transport is well connected with major tourist destination. You can take any bus from the Interstate Bus Terminal to Humayun Tomb. Also there are private as well as government buses plying from the bus stop near station as well as airport. You can take auto, which are very easily available in Delhi’s road.
Where to Stay : Delhi Hotels
Excursion : Agra, Jaipur, Mathura & Vrindavan, Rishikesh.
Many thanks to Alex, who shared his experience with us.
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