Their first outing: Stroll down history

This is what US President Barack Obama wrote in the visitors’ book at the Humayun’s Tomb,16th Century Mughal architectural marvel. He then handed it over to his wife,Michelle,to countersign.

Overwhelmed by the grandeur of the monument,the Obamas threw a volley of questions at the superintending archaeologist (Delhi Circle) Archaeological Survey of India,KK Muhammed,who guided the couple during their 30-minute walk around the site.

The Obamas,who drove into the World Heritage Site through the VIP entrance around 4.45 pm,were received by minister in waiting Salman Khursheed and Director General,ASI,Gautam Sengupta.

Walking towards the gardens leading to the central dome,the couple seemed visibly awed. While a curious Barack Obama went into the architectural details of the monument,Michelle listened intently.

“The first question he asked was how many years it took to construct the monument and which year it was completed. When I told him it was completed in seven years,he was quick to reply that ‘if our guys were to build it in seven years it would be pretty tough’,” Muhammed recalled.

Muhammed also told the couple about the architectural strands that influenced this Mughal epitome with Central Asian,Indian and Persian styles coming into an unique confluence.

“I explained the significance of the double tomb,the elongated drum and the white bulbous tomb that are Central Asian styles while the inverted lotus that is an Indian mark and the arches that are of Persian origin. Obama was also fascinated by the lawns and its geometric pattern and wanted to know if this paved way for garden tombs in Mughal monuments thereafter,” Muhammed said.

While listening to the conservation between Obama and Muhammed,Michelle too pitched in her queries as she asked if the canals were part of the original structure and also about the kind of stone used on the monument.

The Obamas were pleasantly surprised to hear about the link of this monument with the Western architecture. “Dara Shikoh’s headless body lies buried here and he was the one who translated the Upanishads into Persian,which was later translated into Latin influencing architecture in the West. Obama also noticed the inverted lotus on the wall of the central tomb and asked about its significance. He was curious about the plastering work and the current conservation activities that are being undertaken at the site,” Muhammed said.

Officials said Obama wished to visit the Taj Mahal,but as that could not be scheduled,he decided to visit what is considered the precursor to the monument of love. “This is the first garden tomb and the architecture of this monument inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal,” Muhammed said.

The ASI gifted the Obamas a copy of the Monuments of Delhi,a book released by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month.