Hamida Banu Begum, Humayun’s grieving widow, built Emperor
Humayun’s mausoleum during 1565-72 A. D. Precursor to the Taj Mahal, it stands
on a platform of 12000 m2 and reaches a height of 47 m. The earliest
example of Persian influence in Indian architecture, the tomb has within it
over 100 graves, earning it the name, ‘Dormitory of the Mughals’. Built of
rubble masonry, the structure is the first to use red sandstone and white
marble in such great quantities. The small canopies on the terrace were
originally covered in glazed blue tiles, and the brass finial over the white
marble dome is itself 6 m. high.
The 550 metres long central vista inspired by the 16th
Century garden traditions of flowing water, monolithic marble fountains &
formal flower beds. Humayun’s Tomb has been inscribed on the World Heritage
List of the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and
Natural Heritage. Inscription on this list confirms the Exceptional Universal
Value of a Cultural or Natural Site which deserves protection for the benefit
of All Humanity.
[WESTERN GATE]
[TOMB OF HUMAYUN ]
Between 2000 and 2003, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture funded
and collaborated with the Archaeological Survey of India in implementing
project to revitalise the 30-Acre garden surrounding the monument. Amongst
other conservation work, 3-kms of water channels have been repaired, 3.5 kms of
pathway edging restored, 3000 trucks of excess earth manually removed, 4 kms of
sandstone hand-chiselled, 2500 plants favoured by the Mughals planted, 25000
square metres of pathways restored, an exhaustive rainwater harvesting system
introduced, minor structures conserved, historic wells discovered and desilted,
wheelchair access and a site interpretation centre provided.
[EASTERN GATE]
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, with co-funding of Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust and in partnership with the Archeological Survey of India
undertook the conservation of Humayun’s Tomb and associated structures during
2007-2013.
[NORTHERN GATE & THE STARTING POINT OF WATER CHANNEL]
ASI sinages & information
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