Humayun’s Tomb is one of the most beautiful monuments in Delhi and it was the first garden tomb on the Indian Subcontinent. It was the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. It was built by the widow Hamida Bano Begum, populary known Nawab Haji Begum, the mother of Akbar, the Great. The tomb was commenced in 1556 AD and completed in 1569 A.D. The Tomb was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath a Persian architect and built by Indian and Persian workers. This monument is one of the first to employ Persian architecture and also the first to use Red sand stone and White marble in such a huge quantity.
The Humayun’s tomb complex comprises of several buildings, tombs, mosques, and a lodging place. Important buildings in the complex are: Nila Guband, Arab Sarai and Bu Halima. Tombs of Mughal royalty and nobility like Bega Begum, Hamida Banu Begum, Isa Khan and Dara Shikoh are present within the main mausoleum building and the whole complex is said to be dotted with over 150 tombs earning the complex the name of “dormitory of the Mughals”.
Other Tombs in the Complex : Isa Khan Niyazi’s tomb, Afsarwala tomb, Barber’s tomb
It is located right in the heart of the city but the spacious compound surrounding the monument hid it away from public eyes. It was declared a UNESCO World heritage Site in1993.
Tips
Best time to visit: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Visit Timing: Sunrise to sunset, all days of the week
Location: Nizamuddin
Metro Station: Jorbagh and Race Course
Visit Timing: Sunrise to Sunset, all days of the week (best time to visit is between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm).
Entry fee: Rs. 10 (Indians), Rs. 250 (foreigners). Entry is free for children up to 15 years of age.
How to Reach: Easily accessible by road as well as by Delhi Metro. The nearest railway station is Nizammudin. Nearest Metro stations are, Jorbagh and Race Course stations (both on the Yellow line) are the nearest. AC/non AC buses can be availed from Rajiv Chowk/ISBT/Nizamuddin to reach Humayun’s Tomb Complex. Autos plying all over the city can also be availed.
