Humayun’s Tomb

Ticket, Timings & Opening Days

Rs 30 per person (Indian residence)
Rs 500 per person (Foreign residence)

Timings- 6 AM to 6 PM

About Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun was the second Mughal ruler of India after his father Babur who established the Mughal Dynasty and was a conqueror from Samarkand. Humayun died in 1556 but there was no tomb constructed for him. In fact, the construction of Humayun’s tomb was the taken up by his wife Hamida Banu Begum in the memory of her husband. The construction started in 1565 and was completed in 1572. During all this time after his death, the body of Emperor was first buried in the palace at Old Fort (“purana qila”). Thereafter, it was taken to Sirhind and, finally, rested at the present day Tomb in Delhi.

Another important point to note about the tomb is that a number of other Mughal Emperors, not just Humayun, have been buried here. The complex has the graves of Dara Shikoh, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi Ul-Darjat, Rafi Ud-Daulat, Muhammad Kam Bakhsh and Alamgir II.

The site was selected on the banks of River Yamuna and being close to the Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya.

Architecture

The Begum of the Emperor took the services of Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath for constructing this magnificent tomb. However, he died before it was completed leaving the work to be completed by his son, Sayyed Muhammad ibn Mirak Ghiyathuddin. Quite naturally, the architecture of the Tomb is based on Persian style.

Humayun’s tomb was made with stunning red sandstone was considered as the first and foremost garden style tombs in Indian subcontinent. However, the inspiration comes from the Tomb of Timur in Samarkand.

The tomb is built in the middle of “charbagh” style of gardens. The tomb has two entrances- one in South and another in West. However, the South side is the main entrance of the tomb. It has been constructed in an octagonal shape. It has been built on high rubble stone enclosure which can be accessed by two double storeyed gateways. The Tomb itself is built of rubble masonry and the scale on which red sandstone has been used was unprecedented in those times. The use of white marble has been for lattices, floors, door frames, eaves and main dome.

The tomb stands on a 8 meter high terrace and is spread over an area of 12000 square meters. It has a height of 47 meters with topmost feature being a finial of brass that ends in a crescent.

The Humayun’s tomb is quite similar to Akbar’s tomb in Sikander, the tomb of Sikander Lodi in the Lodi Garden, Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughluq’s tomb at Tughlaqabad and the Taj Mahal at Agra. The tomb gives a perfect picture of Mughal Architecture along with deep history of that era. The tomb was opened for general public in 1972. It is said that the Humayun’s tomb was built at the cost of 15 lakh rupees (1.5 million).

The Archaeological Survey of India has renovated certain portions of the tomb to make this masterpiece alive. In 1933, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location and Metro Connectivity

Humayun Tomb is situated between Mathura Road on one side and Millennium Park on the other. It is close to the shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya, the famed sufi saint and Gurudwara Damdama Sahib.

The closest Metro Station to Humayun Tomb is that of Hazarat Nizamuddin Station on Pink Line.

The tomb is also close to Sarai Kale Khan Bus and Railway Station.

Nearby Attractions –

Isa Khan Mosque – A lovely constructed Mosque honored to Isa Khan, one of the aristocracies of Sher Shah has a unique artistic value that can’t be overlooked by the visitors.

Plethora of other tombs – There are many tombs that built in the remembrance of aristocracies and Mughal rulers are exist in the locale of Humayun’s Tomb that complete this historic passage in real manner.

The nearest railway station to reach this tomb is Hazrat Nizamuddin whereas nearest metro station is Jung Pura from where one can take auto or rickshaw. The tomb is opened from sunrise to sunset expect Monday.

Entrance Fee of Humayun’s tomb:

Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) – Rs. 10 per head.

“Being a precedent for the rest of the fascinating Mughal creations which followed in the years to come, Humayun’s Tomb holds a special place in the pages of history for two reasons. Firstly, it serves as a gateway to revisit an entire era which is long past gone and secondly as it an emblem for perennial love of a wife for her husband.”