Located in Delhi, India, Humayun's Tomb is reminiscent of the great Mughal Emperor Humayun. Asia’s first garden-tomb was built on the orders of Humayun’s wife, Empress Bega Begum. Conceptualized by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the tomb was built in approx. 8 years, between 1564 and 1572.
Humayun’s Tomb is a fine and perfect specimen of Persian architecture and says a lot about the Mughal Era as well as its art and architecture. This famous tourist spot in Delhi is visited by locals and tourists, alike, for its magnificence and a heart-touching story that led to its construction.
History of Humayun’s Tomb
Mughal ruler Humayun died after falling from the stairs in 1556 AD, and after his death, his mortal remains were kept in Purana Quila. During this time a war against Hemu was at its peak and to preserve Humayun’s remains, the royal family decided to transport it to Kalanaur in Punjab. The grieving queen Bega Begum then decided to build a grand Musoleum after coming back from Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca.
Historians and the popular history book Ain-i-Akbari, holding the written records of those times, claim that the construction was funded by Bega Begum single-handedly and she herself picked the Persian architects and opted for white marble and red sandstone for the construction. Historians affirm that the queen was closely involved in the supervision of the tomb. Legends also have it that it was her decision to built the mausoleum at the most serene and beautiful site near the Yamuna river which is also close to the dargah of Sufi Saint Hazarat Nizamuddin Aulia.
Humayun’s tomb is a grand mausoleum that is admired internationally. The tomb made it to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1993. Since then the monument has undergone many restoration and maintenance activities from time to time by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). Apart from the tomb of Humayun, the complex also has tombs of Hamida Banu Begum, Bega Begum, Dara Shikoh, and Isa Khan. The tomb complex also comprises many significant structures in its premises, some most popular ones are Nila Gumbad, Bu Halima, and Arab Sarai.
The tomb remains open all days a week, but the best time to visit it is in the afternoon in the winter season. Summer can be too hot and humid to explore the place, hence planning a trip to Delhi between September to March is a smart choice. During the daytime, one may also capture great pictures of the tomb. For the locals, the entry fee is Rs.30. However, the foreign nationals will have to shell out Rs.500 for their entry, and INR 25 is to be paid for video filming.
Places To Visit In And Around Humayun's Tomb
1. Tomb and mosque of Isa Khan
Moving towards Humayun's Tomb, you will encounter the mosque and tomb of Isa Khan. Isa Khan Niyazi belonged to the court of Sher Shah Suri and was an Afghan noble.
2. Char Bagh
The Persian-style garden is very well depicted in the construction of the tomb. According to popular beliefs, this pattern is a perfect representation of the harmonious co-existence of humans and elements of nature.
3. Nila Gumbad
Nila Gumbad is a dome that attracts attention for its blue tiles. The dome is situated at the boundary of the complex and the use of turquoise blue color in its construction certainly makes it look special.
4. Arab Sarai
The Arab Sarai was built by Humayun’s widow for the Arab servants. Situated within the premise, this huge resthouse has been built in Persian architecture.
5. India Arts Palace Houses
After visiting Humayun's Tomb, you can explore the India Arts Palace Houses that has a collection of artistic items.
6. House of Singh and Ching
House of Singh and Ching is a restaurant where one can enjoy a meal with friends and family. The restaurant offers multiple cuisines from Indian, Chinese, and Mughlai platter.
How to Reach Humayun's Tomb
Delhi is a cosmopolitan city famous for its culture and urban vibes. Out of the many travel destinations, Humayun's Tomb is perhaps one of the most loved tourist attractions of Delhi. The city of Delhi is located at an approximate distance of 1,415, 2,069, 981 km from Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Humayun's Tomb in Delhi by the following means of public transportation.
By Air
Book flight tickets to Indira Gandhi International airport as it is nearest to the tomb. The airport is well-connected to all parts of India and metro cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and others. From the airport, one may take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or metro to reach the tomb.
By Rail
Hazarat Nizamuddin railway station is the nearest railway station to Humayun’s tomb. One has to cover a distance of just 4km to reach the tomb via taxi or an auto-rickshaw. Trains from all the metropolitan cities of India arrive at Nizamuddin station.
By Road
If you are planning a road trip to Delhi then you may explore the city at your convenience. Delhi is well connected to the Indian cities via well-maintained road networks. Depending upon your location, you can choose to travel here via your own car, bus, or cab.
By Metro
Traveling by Delhi Metro is much faster, and cheaper than any other mode of transportation. Hazarat Nizamuddin metro station that lies on the pink line of the Delhi Metro route map is the nearest to reach this historic garden tomb.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
