 Humayun's Tomb is not one but a collection of various monuments, reminiscent of the glorious Mughal era. It is in every sense a masterpiece of initial Mughal architecture, as always set in sandstone and marble. The mausoleum is accompanied by the well-laid gardens, which border the main structure.
History
Humayun's Tomb is the first substantial structure of Mughal architecture in India. It was built 9 years after the Emperor's death by his senior widow Haji Begam in the year 1565. It is located on the crossing of Mathura Road and Lodhi Road. It is an immense structure in red sandstone with the white and black marble breaking the red monotony here and there.
Some historians claim that the architects of Taj Mahal drew their inspiration of a Garden Tomb from this monument. It is a true homage to the Royal Mughal dynasty since, several Mughal rulers and royal family members lie buried here. One can find small tombs of Humayun's junior wives, Dara Shikoh and several Later Mughals like Jalandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Alamgir II, Bahadur Shah II. The last Mughal Emperor is said to have taken a refuge here during the Great Indian Mutiny.
More About Humayun's Tomb
On the periphery of Humayun's Tomb lies an intricate display of gardens marked by causeways and channels. The Chaharbagh is a square garden, divided into 4 smaller squares by the pathways. It has a central octagonal chamber, outlined by octagonal chambers at the diagonals and arched lobbies on the sides. These lobbies end in perforated screens. The central arc is the highest and is accompanied by six smaller arcs, three on each side. The same layout is repeated in the second storey. Pillared kiosks or chhatris along with a 42.5m high lofty double dome in marble forms the roof of the majestic mausoleum.
Humayun's Tomb is surrounded by a number of small yet beautiful monuments from the Mughal era. There is a Barber's tomb that has two graves inscribed with verses from Quran. Nila-Gumbad, outside the Humayun's Tomb is an impressive plastered stone structure with its blue tiled dome. Isa Khan's Tomb, to the south of Bu-Halima's Garden is one structure that cannot be ignored on a trip to Humayun's tomb. It has several octagonal chambers bordered by verandahs and archways. Sabz-Burj is another octagonal tomb with four wide and four narrow sides. It is in close proximity to the Humayun's tomb.
Though, it is not really a part of Humayun's tomb but it is worth mentioning Nili-Chhatri over here because it also shares the octagonal chamber architecture with the tomb. It lies within the Delhi Public School premises, on Mathura Road. On the outside it is lined with vibrantly colored enameled tiles. It is the tomb of a Mughal nobleman called Naubat Khan.
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