Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive Mughal edifices, was built by Hamida Banu Begum, the second Mughal Emperor Humayun’s widow. The tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect who was brought from Herat. It cost 15 lakh rupees to build in those days.

The tomb lies at the centre of a massive, square garden complexenclosed by high walls on three sides and the river Yamuna on the fourth. The garden is divided into four large squares separated by causeways, water pavilions and channels. The tomb is built mainly of red sandstone — the first monument to have used it on such a large scale. Black and yellow stones too have been used, perhaps to relieve the monotony. Humayun’s Tomb is the first great example of Mughal architecture and stands second only to the Taj in merit.

Within its premises lie several small monuments, the popular ones being the black-and-yellow marble tomb of Humayun’s wife and the tomb of Humayun’s barber. Locally called Nai ka Gumbad, the barber’s tomb is a notable square tomb with a double dome. The entry to the complex is through an enclosure known as Bu Halima Garden. It is believed that the garden existed before the tombs were built.

Also of interest is the Arab Sarai adjoining the southwest corner of Humayun’s Tomb. It is believed to have been built by Hamida Banu Begum, Akbar’s mother, in AD 1560–61 for 300 Arab mullas travelling from Mecca. The structure constitutes of a large enclosure that is separated into two quadrangles by a series of cells provided with a gateway at the centre. The western enclosure is currently used by the Industrial Training Institute (ITI). The second quadrangle, called the mandi, lies right outside the lofty eastern entrance of the structure.

Inside the eastern enclosure of the Arab Sarai is the Afsarwala Mosque. Its prayer chamber has a three-arched opening and the central bay is enclosed by a dome.

Towards the southeast corner of the mosque, right outside the precincts of Humayun’s Tomb stands Isa Khan’s Tomb, octagonal in shape and with a double dome. Constructed in 1547 as a tribute to Masnad Ali Isa Khan, a courageous noble under the Afghan ruler Sher Shah, it is believed to have been inspired by Sikandar Lodi’s tomb.

Further away from the tomb complex lie Bada Bateshewala Mahal, Chote Bateshewala Mahal, and Barapula, a bridge with 12 piers and 11-arched openings, built in 1621 by Mihr Banu Agha, the chief eunuch of Emperor Jahangir’s court.

In the 1857 War of Indian Independence, the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar took refuge at Humayun’s Tomb along with three princes. But unfortunately, his forefather could not come to his rescue. It was from here that Captain Hodson captured him and he was finally exiled to Rangoon (now Yangon).