Specials

Humayun’s Tomb and its majesty on a sultry Delhi morning

Published by
Ahona Sengupta

Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 1560’s, is a specimen of the grandiose of Mughal architecture and its garden setting has no precedence in the Islamic world for a mausoleum. Built on a monumental scale with the patronage of Humayun’s son, the great Emperor Akbar, the Humayun’s Tomb is the first of the grand dynastic mausoleums that later on became synonyms of Mughal architecture with the architectural style reaching its zenith 80 years later at the later Taj Mahal.

The monument includes other contemporary, 16th century Mughal garden-tombs such as Nila Gumbad, Isa Khan, Bu Halima, Afsarwala, Barber’s Tomb and the complex where the craftsmen employed for the Building of Humayun’s Tomb stayed, the Arab Serai.

Also Read: Delhi skies a feast for the eyes before winter arrives

The Humayun’s tomb stands in an extremely significant archaeological setting, centred at the Shrine of the 14th century Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
Visitors walk towards the first gate of the Humayun’s Tomb. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The grand gate that leads one to the main mausoleum-structured Humayun’s Tomb. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
Visitors walk towards the grand mausoleum through the second gate inside the Humayun’s Tomb. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
Humayun’s garden-tomb is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’, which means the cells are buried over 150 Mughal family members. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The mausoleum has an irregular octagon plan with four long sides and chamfered edges. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The Barber’s Tomb or ‘Nai-ka-Gumbad’ belonging to royal barber, within the premise of the Humayun’s Tomb. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The mausoleum is built of plaster and rubble. At the time of construction, it was entire covered with blue, green and white tiles. Turquoise blue was the dominant amongst the other colors. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The intricate designs on the walls of the Nila Gumbad. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
A close visual of the Nila Gumbad. (Photo: Ahona sengupta
The intricate designs on the walls of the Nila Gumbad. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The magnificent tomb and a sprawling garden. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)
The Arab Serai is said to have been built by Mughal emperor Humayun’s widow Haji Begum. (Photo: Ahona Sengupta)

For more stories that cover the ongoings of Delhi NCR, follow us on:

Instagram: instagram.com/thepatriot_in/
Twitter: twitter.com/Patriot_Delhi
Facebook: facebook.com/Thepatriotnewsindia

Ahona Sengupta

Published by
Ahona Sengupta

Recent Posts

International Yoga Day 2026: 7 spots in Delhi-NCR to begin your wellness journey

These are seven yoga centres in Delhi-NCR worth exploring this International Yoga Day in 2026…

June 20, 2026

End of the road for Udyog Bhawan

A key centre of India’s industrial planning since the late 1950s, Udyog Bhawan is now…

June 20, 2026

Delhi Police denies permission to continue CJP protest, Dipke says won’t move

Earlier, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had appealed to supporters to join the ongoing protest at…

June 20, 2026

Love drives everything in Main Wapas Aaunga: Imtiaz Ali

The director of Main Vaapas Aaunga talks to Patriot about Partition survivors, personal memory and…

June 20, 2026

7 places to take your dad on Father’s Day in Delhi-NCR

From heritage walks and art galleries to fine dining and golf, these 7 Delhi-NCR experiences…

June 19, 2026

Rare 14.5 kg cancerous abdominal tumour removed in 10-hour surgery at Delhi hospital

Doctors remove one of India’s largest reported abdominal tumours along with affected kidney and reproductive…

June 19, 2026