Things to do in Humayun's Tomb Reviews (Delhi, India)

The Precurser to the Taj Mahal

Gravesend, United Kingdom

March 22, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Humayuns Tomb. Delhi.Humayuns tomb is on the eastern side of Delhi and is India’s first Mogul garden mausoleum. It was built by Humayuns senior widow the Hamida Begum 9 years after his death to honour his memory and where he was finally laid to rest ...Read more

From journal Delightful Delhi

Delhi's Finest Garden Tomb

by koshkha

Northampton, United Kingdom

April 8, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo The Taj Mahal is hailed world-wide as history's greatest monument to love and was built by Shahjahan as a tribute to his wife Mumtaz. Fewer people have heard of another mausoleum which is widely believe to have inspired Shahjahan in his choice of ...Read more

From journal Death In Delhi

Humayun's Tomb

by Koentje3000

Hamme, Belgium

October 19, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo Nicknamed Delhi’s Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of emperor Humayun is a splendid example of 16th-century Moghul architecture. Nasiruddin Humayun was the son of Babur, the founder of the Moghul empire in northern India, a direct descendant of Tamerlane of ...Read more Nicknamed Delhi’s Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of emperor Humayun is a splendid example of 16th-century Moghul architecture. Nasiruddin Humayun was the son of Babur, the founder of the Moghul empire in northern India, a direct descendant of Tamerlane of Central Asia and the father of Akbar the Great. He was the only Moghul emperor to loose his Indian territories, namely to Sher Shah Suri who was helped by his younger brothers. After his flee to Persia, he converted to Shi’a Islam, gained the support of the Persian Shah, and retook northern India. His victory was short-lived, as Humayun died only 6 months later in 1556 from an accident. He was succeeded by his 13-year-old son Akbar, who expanded his father’s legacy to one of the greatest empires of that time, reaching as far as Kabul.

The tomb of Humayun, inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, was built after the emperor’s death by his wife Haji Begum. It took around 10 years to complete this magnificent red sandstone and marble structure. The building is highly symmetrical. The square base is 6.5m in height and 100m wide. Right in the middle of this support is the actual mausoleum, taking up one quarter of the square. This shrine, with walls made up of red sandstone with white marble inlays, is topped by a magnificent marble dome reaching 45m above the ground and four smaller domes at each corner. The building is surrounded by a symmetrical square garden with water canals, pathways, and trees. It is the first building of this kind in India, but other similar examples would soon follow, most notably the favourite wife of Shah Jahan’s mausoleum better known as the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Entry to the complex is Rs 250 (4 €). A path from the entrance leads straight towards the square garden. If you have a little time to spend here, it is worthwhile to enter the massive Arab Sarai gate on the right side of the path. This will bring you to another splendid grave, the 20-year older tomb of Isa Khan, a nobleman from the court of Humayun’s enemy Sher Shah Suri. Although not as beautiful and spacious as above mausoleum, it is a remarkably structured octagonal edifice typical for the Lodi architecture favoured in these times. Next to this tomb is the so-called Mosque of Isa Khan, built with sandstone and marble. Inside the complex is also a smaller tomb, reportedly of Humayun’s barber. Outside the complex are even more interesting tombs, like the shrine of the sufi saint Nizam-ud-Din or the tomb of Jahanara, daughter of Shah Jahan.

The tomb is within walking distance of one of Delhi’s most important railway stations, Hazrat Nizamuddin, with direct trains to the south, like Agra or even Chennai (Madras). The station can be reached by public bus for a few rupees on line 181 from New Delhi railway station. A rickshaw ride from Connaught Place would cost you around Rs 50. Close

From journal Delhi: The Good, the Bad or the Ugly?

Humayun's Tomb

by phileasfogg

New Delhi, India

June 20, 2002

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Best of IgoUgo This tomb’s a World Heritage site, the precursor to the Taj Mahal, and the mausoleum of the second of the Mughal Emperors. A Mughal monument, but one which lies pretty far from Chandni Chowk, Red Fort and Shajahanabad. And there’s a reason behind ...Read more

Tickets are $10 per person.

From journal Exploring Mughal Delhi

Humayun's Tomb

by Amanda

London, United Kingdom

November 17, 2001

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Best of IgoUgo Humayun’s Tomb has been designated a World Heritage Site by the UN (and therefore, costing $10 / person.) It is very close to Isa Khan’s tomb (see the entries for this also in my Delhi journal) - the two compounds are only a couple of hundred feet ...Read more

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