Humayun’s Tomb In Delhi
Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is the epitome of Mughal architecture. It was declared world heritage site in 1993 by UNESCO.
After the death of Humayun in 1556, his wife Hamida Banu Begum started the construction of Humayun’s Tomb. The construction of the Tomb started in the year 1969. Architects from Persia were called and a total of Rs. 15 lakhs were spent to build the tomb.
Mirak Mirza Ghiyath was the main Persian architect who undertook the construction of the tomb. He was employed by Hamida Banu Begum. Though the tomb is mughal at core but its designs are inspired by Persian architecture.
FACTS ABOUT HUMAYUN’S TOMB
• The construction of the tomb started in 1969 that is 14 years after the death of Humayun.
• Mirak Mirza Ghiyath was the chief architect. He was called from Persia.
• It is a proper Mughal style construction with ideas and designs inspired from Persia.
• The tomb is build in the center of a square garden which is called the Humanyun Garden.
• It's a charbagh (a four-quadrant garden depicting the four rivers of Quranic paradise), with pools connected by channels.
• The entire tomb is constructed from red sandstone which increases its beauty.
• The mausoleum's square red sandstone double-storeyed structure with chamfered corners rises from a 7-meter-high square terrace, which is raised over a series of cells with arches on each side.
• Humanyun’s Tomb is the first garden style tomb built in India during the Mughal period.
• It is Humayun’s Tomb where Bahadur shah zafar took shelter in 1857 during the first war of Independence with his three sons.
• Humayun’s Tomb serves as the graveyard for Hamida Banu Begum, Dara Shikoh and other prominent Mughals.
• That is why it is called the dormitory of Mughals. The tomb is the resting place for approximately 150 Mughals from the royal family.
MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE & FEATURES
Mughal emperors sanctioned the constriction of beautiful Mughal buildings, tombs and gardens during the 16th and 17 century in the Indian subcontinent. You can still witness the rich and fine Mughal architecture in northern and central India.
Speciality of Mughal buildings: Charbagh mausoleums with pronounced bulbous domes, , broad gateways, slender turrets at corners, beautiful calligraphy, and geometric patterns on pillars and walls, arabesque, and palace halls supported on pillars.
• In northern India, the Mughal period saw a remarkable revival of Islamic architecture. Persian, Indian, and various provincial styles were fused under the patronage of the Mughal emperors to produce works of exceptional quality and refinement.
• It became so popular, particularly in north India, that it was reflected in colonial architecture in the Indo-Saracenic style.
• It was built in a mix of Indian, Persian, and Turkish architectural styles.
• Various types of structures, including majestic gates (entrances), forts, mausoleums, palaces, mosques, sarais, and so on.
• The most common building materials were red sandstone and white marble.
• The arches, chhatri, and various styles of domes became extremely popular in Indo-Islamic architecture, which was further developed by the Mughals.