Humayun's Tomb
Empress Bega Begum ordered the construction of Humayun's tomb in 1558, shortly after her husband died on the 27th of January 1556. She dedicated her life to building a memorial that would be the most magnificent mausoleum in the Empire. The project cost 1.5 million rupees, paid entirely by the Empress herself. Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas was selected by the Empress and brought from Herat in northwest Afghanistan. He had previously designed several buildings in Herat and Bukhara before arriving in India. His son, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Mirak Ghiyathuddin, completed the structure after his father died during construction. Construction began in 1565 and finished in 1572. According to the Ain-i-Akbari, a detailed document written during Akbar's reign, Bega Begum supervised the work after returning from Mecca and undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage.
The tomb became the first Indian building to use red sandstone at such a scale combined with white marble cladding. It stands on a vaulted terrace eight metres high covering 12,000 square meters. The structure reaches a height of 47 meters and features a double dome system unique for its time. An outer layer supports the white marble exterior while an inner part shapes the cavernous interior volume. The plinth contains fifty-six cells housing over 100 gravestones within its rubble core. A ninefold plan organizes eight two-storied vaulted chambers radiating from a central double-height domed chamber. Intricate jaalis or stone latticework cover most sides except the south entrance iwan. Pietra dura ornamentation featuring marble and stone inlay appears throughout the facade in geometrical and arabesque patterns. This combination established a precedent for future Mughal mausolea including the Taj Mahal.
A quadrilateral garden divided into four squares by paved walkways surrounds the central monument. Two bisecting water channels reflect rivers flowing beneath the Garden of Paradise described in the Quran. Each square further divides into eight smaller gardens creating thirty-two miniature spaces total. The design spans thirteen hectares surrounding the tomb. Central water channels appear to disappear beneath the structure then reappear on the opposite side in a straight line. High rubble walls enclose three sides while the fourth side originally faced the Yamuna River before it shifted course. A baradari with twelve doors stands aligned at the center of the eastern wall allowing free air circulation. An hammam bath chamber occupies the northern wall position. The entire complex measures approximately 30 acres today.
By the early eighteenth century vegetable gardens replaced once lush lawns as people settled within the walled area. In 1860 British authorities replanted the garden in an English style replacing four central pools with circular beds. Lord Curzon restored original features between 1903 and 1909 but later complained that native tenants planted turnips instead maintaining his work. During Partition in August 1947 refugee camps operated inside Humayun's Tomb for about five years causing considerable damage to gardens and water channels. Jathas raided the site many times during early partition days leading to vandalism. Cenotaphs within the mausoleum were encased in brick to avoid further destruction. Four unsuccessful attempts occurred until 1985 to reinstate original water features. Ronaldshay's biography quotes Curzon writing to his wife in April 1905 about how the garden had reverted to planting turnips after he left England.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture began collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India around 1999 following research starting in 1997. The project completed restoration work by March 2003. Over twelve hectares of lawns received new plantings including mango lemon neem hibiscus and jasmine cuttings. A new water circulation system allowed channels to flow naturally without hydraulic assistance using a one centimeter per forty meters slope. Rainwater harvesting utilized 128 ground water recharge pits while old wells underwent desilting. Funding included $650,000 from the Aga Khan Trust plus help from Oberoi Hotels Group. In 2009 workers removed cement concrete layers weighing approximately 1,102 tons that had been laid since the 1920s. This thick layer blocked water passages and exerted pressure on the structure. Traditional lime-based roofing replaced the concrete blockage. The restored finial appeared again on the 19th of April 2016 after being knocked off during a storm on the 30th of May 2014.
Several monuments dot pathways leading up to the main tomb enclosure from the western entrance. Isa Khan Niazi's tomb constructed in 1547 predates the main structure by twenty years. An Afghan noble in Sher Shah Suri's court fought against Mughals yet his octagonal tomb sits within an octagonal garden built during his lifetime. Bu Halima's Garden appears as a later addition with little known about its namesake. Afsarwala Tomb dates to 1566-67 CE featuring marble graves inside. Nila Gumbad or Blue Dome carries striking blue glazed tiles built around 1625-26 for servant Miyan Fahim. Chillah Nizamuddin Aulia residence stands near the northeastern corner of the principal mausoleum. Barber's Tomb belongs to royal barber dating to 1590-91 through inscriptions found inside. Bada Bateshewala Mahal and Chote Bateshewala Mahal lie further away now surrounded by commercial areas facing parking lots. Barapula bridge features twelve piers and eleven arched openings built in 1621 by chief eunuch Mihr Banu Agha.
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Common questions
Who ordered the construction of Humayun's Tomb and when did it begin?
Empress Bega Begum ordered the construction of Humayun's Tomb in 1558 shortly after her husband died on the 27th of January 1556. Construction began in 1565 and finished in 1572.
Which Persian architect designed Humayun's Tomb and who completed it?
Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas was selected by the Empress to design the structure but he died during construction. His son Sayyid Muhammad ibn Mirak Ghiyathuddin completed the building after his father passed away.
What architectural features distinguish Humayun's Tomb from other Mughal buildings?
Humayun's Tomb became the first Indian building to use red sandstone at such a scale combined with white marble cladding. It reaches a height of 47 meters and features a double dome system unique for its time.
When was the restoration work on Humayun's Tomb completed and what funding supported it?
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India completed restoration work by March 2003. Funding included $650,000 from the Aga Khan Trust plus help from Oberoi Hotels Group.
How many smaller gardens are created within the quadrilateral garden surrounding Humayun's Tomb?
Each square of the quadrilateral garden further divides into eight smaller gardens creating thirty-two miniature spaces total. The design spans thirteen hectares surrounding the tomb.