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Humayun’s tomb was constructed under the patronage of Humayun’s son, the renowned Emperor Akbar, in the 1560s. Indian and Persian craftsmen, in collaboration, built the garden tomb, and it was far finer than any other tomb ever built in the Islamic world. It was the first of the majestic royal mausoleums of the Mughals in India. It would become synonymous with Mughal design, with the architecture reaching its pinnacle years later at the Taj Mahal.
Who was Humayun?
Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad, also known as Humayun, was the Mughal Empire’s second emperor. From 1530 to 1540, and again from 1555 to 1556, he ruled over the region that is today Pakistan, East Afghanistan, Northern India, and Bangladesh. He lost his empire early but was able to reclaim it with the help of the Safavid dynasty of Persia, who provided him with extra land. The Mughal Empire extended approximately 1 million square kilometres at the time of his demise in 1556.
Humayun’s Tomb
The majestic tomb created in honour of Emperor Humayun is a magnificent example of Mughal imperial mausoleum architecture. The structure is the earliest of the huge royal garden tombs that were built. Bega Begum, Humayun’s wife and principal consort commissioned the mausoleum in 1565, 9 years after the Emperor’s tragic demise. It was finished in 1570 AD under the assistance of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Humayun’s son and the third Mughal monarch. Humayun’s tomb is one of the best surviving Mughal style monuments. In 1993, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is presently situated in Nizamuddin, East Delhi, India.
Architecture
Humayun’s tomb is indeed the origin of the Mughal architectural style in India. This particular style is a wonderful mix of Turkish, Indian, and Persian architecture. This genre began during the era of Emperor Akbar. It flourished during Shah Jahan’s reign. He was Akbar’s grandson and the 5th Mughal Emperor. In terms of size and magnificence, Humayun’s Tomb laid the foundation of new architecture in India.
Humayun’s tomb sits amid a 2,16,000 square metres garden complex on a raised stone platform. The tomb garden is laid out in a traditional Persian Char Bagh style. The four trails or causeways spread from the centre structure dividing the area into four sections.
The monument, mostly made of red sandstone, is a completely symmetrical construction. It features white marble Persian double domes topped with brass finials that end in a crescent. The outer layer of the double-layered dome sustains the white marble facade, while the inner section shapes the huge internal volume.
In contrast to the pure white external dome, the rest of the structure is composed of red sandstone. You can also find black and white marble and yellow sandstone details, which break the monotony.
Humayun’s tomb stands 47 metres tall and 91 metres wide. The tomb complex is accessed through two double-storeyed arched entrances. The northern and eastern walls, respectively, include a hammam and a baradari in the centre.
‘Dormitory of the Mughals’
The grave of Humayun is marked by a single cenotaph oriented on the north-south alignment in the main burial chamber, as per Islamic practice. The Emperor’s original burial chamber, on the other hand, is located beneath the higher cenotaph. It is only accessible by a separate path outside the main edifice, mostly closed to the public.
Eight smaller chambers branch out from the main hall. The structure has a total of 124 vaulted chambers. Cenotaphs of other prominent Mughal family members of the royalty and aristocracy can be found in several smaller chambers. In Humayun’s Tomb, prominent cenotaphs of Hamida Begum, Dara Shikoh, Bega Begum, and Isa Khan can be discovered. The structure contains approximately 100 burials, including several on the first storey terrace, giving it the title “Dormitory of the Mughals.” However, since the tombs are not inscribed, it is difficult to identify these graves.
Conclusion
Humayun died in January 1556. His wife, Bega Begam, also remembered as Haji Begam commenced the construction of Humayun’s Tomb after his demise. It is the first clear example of the Mughal style, influenced by Persian architecture. It is commonly known that during his exile, Humayun learned Persian architectural principles, and he is believed to have designed the tomb himself, though no record of this fact exists. The construction of the tomb was completed under Emperor Akbar’s patronage in 1570. The above article discusses the architecture of Humayun’s Tomb in brief.
