Journalism of Courage
Gates of all Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments were opened earlier this month. Delhi has over 70 monuments under ASI, which also includes Humayun’s Tomb. It was built in 1570, with the patronage of Humayun’s son, Emperor Akbar. It is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. In this week's Express Wanderlust, we learn more about this historical monument, which recently reopened to visitors. Read on.
The monument was shut in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases in the country. Delhi has over 70 monuments under ASI. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
Humayun's Tomb is a centrally-protected monument which was previously shut for over three months in the pandemic. Otherwise, it would always entertain visitors from different parts of the country and the world. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
If you are planning to visit, know that you will not be allowed to enter without a mask. All guidelines, including social distancing and sanitisation measures, need to be followed by the visitors. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
To visit the tomb, visitors can only book e-tickets, no physical tickets will be available. The booking can be done in either of the two slots: forenoon slot, which starts in the morning and ends at noon; and afternoon slot from noon to 6 pm.(Express photo by Amit Mehra)
The history of its architecture: This building is unique, because there’s a connecting link between the Gur Emir, where Humayun’s ancestor Tamerlane is buried, and the mausoleum of his grandson Shah Jahan, in Taj Mahal. Humayun’s tomb was built because of the initiative of his widow Hamida Banu Begum. She commenced the construction of a mausoleum for her deceased husband in 1565, nine years after his death. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
Humayun’s Tomb stands within a complex of 27.04 ha. Persian and Indian craftsmen worked together to build the garden-tomb, far grander than any tomb built before in the Islamic world. The mausoleum stands on a massive platform which has a height of up to 7 metres. The building is constructed from red sandstone, while the tomb itself is made of yellow and black marble. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
The architecture of the tomb is strongly influenced by Persian architecture. The architect of the building was Mirak Mirza Ghiyas who himself was of Persian origin. Ghiyas constructed the tomb in the center of a Persian-style chaharbagh garden (four gardens) with quadrilateral form. The garden, divided into four main parts by walkways or flowing water, is created to resemble the paradise garden described in the Quran. These four main parts on their turn are separated by channels to 36 parts. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
The garden was gradually filled with the tombs of Humayun’s descendants and his entourage. Several Mughal emperors are even buried inside Humayun’s mausoleum. It has earned the title of necropolis of the Mughal dynasty. No crypt in India or elsewhere contains such a high number of tombs of Mughal emperors and their relatives. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
As many as 3,691 centrally-protected monuments and archaeological sites maintained by the ASI were shut from March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic. They have all reopened for the public during the unlocking process. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
