Humayun's Tomb

Built 100 years before the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is the first example of Mughal architecture in India. It too looks more like a palace than a tomb.

The mausoleum is built of red sandstone, but the tomb is made of yellow and black marble. It is a massive structure measuring 141 feet high and 273 feet long, sitting on a 21-foot platform. The architect was Persian, so it is built in a quadrilateral shape with four gardens. The gardens themselves are separated by water to resemble the paradise from the Quran. The Persian influence can be seen everywhere with the large double dome, walkways, and arched doorways and windows.

The gardens eventually became tombs of Humayun’s family, including several other Mughal emperors. It is the first garden-tomb in India. Go for a stroll to visit the tomb and mosque of Isa Khan and his family. The octagonal-shaped tomb pre-dates Humayun’s Tomb by two decades. The Arab Sarai was built next to the Afsarwala mosque to honor the 300 craftsmen who came to build it. The “Blue Dome”, or Nila Gumbad, is a tomb to honor a servant who grew up with a courtier’s son.

Humayun’s Tomb, though originally built for an emperor, honors those from all walks of Mughal life.

Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is the perfect twin of the Taj Mahal of Agra. On a single visit, you can see for yourself the uncanny resemblance of the two structures. To many, the only difference is the color of the two structures. The Taj Mahal is made up of white marble while Humayun's Tomb is made up of red sandstone. 

Humayun's Tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum from 1569 to 1570. It was planned by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad, whom the Empress chose herself. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. It has a Persian architecture style which includes a body of water and many gardens. The Tomb is located in the center of the gardens. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is well-maintained and restored time and again. One of the Tombs in this complex is dedicated to a male and female barber! It is known as the Barber's Tomb. It is said that they were the favorite royal barbers and they got a place near the tomb of Humayun himself as an honor. This place is a serene architectural beauty and is a must see when you are in Delhi.