Humayun's Tomb
It is located at Nizamuddin. This tomb is in the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites and a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
History - Humayun, the eldest son of Babur and the second emperor of the Mughal dynasty, died in 1556 when he fell from the stairs of the Sher Mandal library. His widow Hamida Banu Begum (a Persian), also known as Haji Begum or Bega Begum, commenced the construction of his tomb in 1569, fourteen years after his death. This tomb completed in 1570 is culturally significant because it was the first garden tomb on the Indian sub continent. The tomb was constructed at a cost of 15 lakh rupees. Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, was the architect employed. Several rulers of Mughal dynasty lie buried here like graves of Hamida Begum, Akbar's mother, Dara Shikoh, Shahjahan's son and Bahadur Shah-II, the last Mughal emperor. Bahadur Shah Zafar had taken refuge in this tomb with three princes during the first war of Independence (1857).
Garden - The entry to the tomb is through a long axial processional track. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parts by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which run shallow water channels with paved walkways (khiyabans), which terminate at the two main gates. It is further 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 charbagh. The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two lofty double storeyed gateways on the west and south, which offer a glimpse of the tomb. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) in the centre of the northern wall. This is as per the concept of Islam that paradise or jannat is a place set somewhere in the middle of a garden with water flowing through it.
Tomb - The tomb is 140 feet high. The square double storeyed structure of the mausoleum with chambered corners rises from a 7 metre high square terrace, raised over a series of cells, which are accessible through arches on each side. The grave proper in the centre of this cell complex is reached by a passage on the south. The octogonal central chamber contains the cenotaph, and the diagonal sides lead to corner chambers which house the graves of other members of the royal family. The central chamber is encompassed by octogonal chambers at the diagonals and arched lobbies on the sides. The central chamber has four offsets, double storeyed in height and with arcade on their facades. Their openings are closed with perforated screens. Externally each side of the tomb, its elevations decorated by marble borders and panels, is dominated by three arched alcoves, the central one being the highest. The roof pillered kiosks are disposed around the emphatic double dome in the centre. This plan is repeated on the second storey too. The roof surmounted by a double dome (42.5 m high) of white marble has pillared kiosks (chhatris) placed around it. The mausoleum is a synthesis of Persian architecture and Indian traditions - the former exemplified by the arched alcoves, corridors and the high double dome, and the latter by the kiosks, which give it a pyramidal outline from distance. The structure mainly built with red sandstone has wite and black marbles largely used in the borders.
Barber's tomb - The Nai-ka-Gumbad is located on the southwestern side. It stands on a raised platform, reached by seven steps from the south. The building is square on plan and consists of a single compartment covered with a double dome.
Isa Khan's Tomb - This is located outside the main grounds of Humayun's Tomb. It was built in 1547 and commemorates an important noble who served Sher Shah, the Afghan ruler of Delhi who had outsted Humayun. This octogonal tomb is noteworthy for the elegant cluster of chhatris (kiosks) and pinnacles around the dome.
Timings - Open from sunrise to sunset.
History - Humayun, the eldest son of Babur and the second emperor of the Mughal dynasty, died in 1556 when he fell from the stairs of the Sher Mandal library. His widow Hamida Banu Begum (a Persian), also known as Haji Begum or Bega Begum, commenced the construction of his tomb in 1569, fourteen years after his death. This tomb completed in 1570 is culturally significant because it was the first garden tomb on the Indian sub continent. The tomb was constructed at a cost of 15 lakh rupees. Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, was the architect employed. Several rulers of Mughal dynasty lie buried here like graves of Hamida Begum, Akbar's mother, Dara Shikoh, Shahjahan's son and Bahadur Shah-II, the last Mughal emperor. Bahadur Shah Zafar had taken refuge in this tomb with three princes during the first war of Independence (1857).
Garden - The entry to the tomb is through a long axial processional track. The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parts by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which run shallow water channels with paved walkways (khiyabans), which terminate at the two main gates. It is further 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 charbagh. The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two lofty double storeyed gateways on the west and south, which offer a glimpse of the tomb. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) in the centre of the northern wall. This is as per the concept of Islam that paradise or jannat is a place set somewhere in the middle of a garden with water flowing through it.
Tomb - The tomb is 140 feet high. The square double storeyed structure of the mausoleum with chambered corners rises from a 7 metre high square terrace, raised over a series of cells, which are accessible through arches on each side. The grave proper in the centre of this cell complex is reached by a passage on the south. The octogonal central chamber contains the cenotaph, and the diagonal sides lead to corner chambers which house the graves of other members of the royal family. The central chamber is encompassed by octogonal chambers at the diagonals and arched lobbies on the sides. The central chamber has four offsets, double storeyed in height and with arcade on their facades. Their openings are closed with perforated screens. Externally each side of the tomb, its elevations decorated by marble borders and panels, is dominated by three arched alcoves, the central one being the highest. The roof pillered kiosks are disposed around the emphatic double dome in the centre. This plan is repeated on the second storey too. The roof surmounted by a double dome (42.5 m high) of white marble has pillared kiosks (chhatris) placed around it. The mausoleum is a synthesis of Persian architecture and Indian traditions - the former exemplified by the arched alcoves, corridors and the high double dome, and the latter by the kiosks, which give it a pyramidal outline from distance. The structure mainly built with red sandstone has wite and black marbles largely used in the borders.
Barber's tomb - The Nai-ka-Gumbad is located on the southwestern side. It stands on a raised platform, reached by seven steps from the south. The building is square on plan and consists of a single compartment covered with a double dome.
Isa Khan's Tomb - This is located outside the main grounds of Humayun's Tomb. It was built in 1547 and commemorates an important noble who served Sher Shah, the Afghan ruler of Delhi who had outsted Humayun. This octogonal tomb is noteworthy for the elegant cluster of chhatris (kiosks) and pinnacles around the dome.
Timings - Open from sunrise to sunset.
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