Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's tomb in Delhi is no ordinary one as it may look to some people. It has the distinction of being the inspiration for the layout plan of Taj Mahal, the love mausoleum. However Humayun's Tomb in Delhi is made in a simple way of red sandstone along with use of white and black marble along the borders to relieve the monotony. This tomb also has many other graves of the royal family and some nobles.

Location
It is located on Mathura road-Lodhi Road crossing, near the tomb of Sufi Saint of Chisti Silsilah, Nizammuddin Auliya.

Tomb Architecture
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. This was the first garden tomb in India and was inspired by the Koran's version of heaven. The garden is square in shape and is divided into 36 perfect squares by shallow water channels and overpasses creating a Persian styled char bagh.

The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parterres by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which ran shallow water-channels. The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two lofty double-storied gateways on the west and south. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) in the centre of northern wall. It also has a 7 metre high square terrace.

Coming Into Being
When Humayun died in 1556, his senior most wife Begum Hamida Bano took 14 years in finding the perfect architect for Humayun's Tomb. The construction started in 1569 under the guidance of Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, and ended in 1572 costing a total of Rs 15 Lakh. The mausoleum is a synthesis of Persian architecture and Indian traditions-the former exemplified by the arched alcoves, corridors and the latter by the kiosks, which give it a pyramidal outline from distance. It is the first distinct example of Mughal Architecture in India.

Interesting Fact
The tomb has a cleverly disguised double dome made of marble with a height of 42.5m with pillared kiosk and is very common among Persian tombs.