Humayun’s Tomb | Attraction Guides | History Hit

Humayun’s Tomb

Delhi, Delhi, India

About Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb or The Tomb of Humayun is the mausoleum of the second emperor of the Mughal Dynasty, Humayun.

Humayum was the ruler of over one million square kilometers, encompassing modern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and parts of northern India, his reign spanning from 1530 to 1540 and from 1555 to 1556.

Humayun’s Tomb represents the first garden tomb in India and inspired future designs, including the iconic Taj Mahal. Despite the fact that Humayun’s Tomb was the first of its kind, it is considered to be a magnificent example of Mughal architecture, a status which has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was Humayun’s wife, Biga Begum, who commission the building of his tomb in 1562 and its architect was Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, of Persian origin.

Over time, Humayun’s Tomb came to house several other members of the Dynasty and now contains around 150 graves. Humayun’s Tomb is a solitary irregular-octagonal structure made up of red sandstone crowned by a marble dome and set on a wide platform amidst a large garden area.