Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi

Written by Tim Blight

Writer, traveller, amateur photographer, teacher. Based in Melbourne and Lahore.

December 27, 2015

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

Last week I wrote about the incredible streets and history of Chandni Chowk in Delhi, and the spiritual calm of the Lotus Temple in the outer suburbs of New Delhi. It was then time to turn back to the centre to visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of the highlights of any trip to India’s capital.

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayan was the second Muslim ruler of India – Babur the Afghan’s son, and Akbar the Great’s father. The Muslim dynasty were known as the Moghuls. It’s my opinion that India’s greatest monuments were given to it by the Muslim Moghuls. If this is true, then it must be proved by
the Taj Mahal, and also by what is often considered the forerunner to the Taj, Humayan’s tomb in Delhi.

Garden of Humayun's Tomb

Garden of Humayun’s Tomb

Gordon and I walked the stately garden path towards the tomb. The gardens were perfectly symmetrical – almost like a floral version of the Taj Mahal. Being Afghan/Persian in heritage,
the Moghul emperors knew what a good garden was, and they stuck one in front of everything they built.

Garden of Humayun's Tomb2

Garden of Humayun's Tomb3

Approaching the main gate of Humayan’s tomb was just like approaching the Taj Mahal. Through the gate the monument can be spied, although this time it’s copper red – a reflection of the cheaper, local building materials used here. Nevertheless, once it’s seen for the first time, and much like the Taj Mahal, it takes the breath away.

The main gate entering the garden of Humayun's Tomb

The main gate entering the garden of Humayun’s Tomb

It is smaller than the Taj, and less ostentatious, but still very memorable. Moreover, the gardens here are more intimate, and have a slightly more reverential feel than at the Taj where the building steals the show.

Jali (carved lattice panel) at Humayun's Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb is easily one of my favourite places in Delhi; partly for its grandeur, and partly for how it sits happily amid the chaos of the city outside – just another part of the streetscape in India’s capital, where the new and the old are one and the same.

Humayun's Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb

Have you ever visited an impressive shrine or tomb? Tell us more, in the comments below!

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6 Comments

  1. Andrew Boland

    Hadn’t heard of this one – very grand!

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      It’s great!! You must get there when (if) you go back to Delhi!!

      Reply
  2. Agness

    Tim, good timing! We are heading to India at the end of January, can’t wait to make it to Delhi and see the place!

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      You must go there Agness, you’ll find it so interesting!! Safe travels 🙂

      Reply
  3. Anna @ shenANNAgans

    You really have had some amazing travel experiences. I do hope 2016 includes trips to foreign lands. 🙂 And yes visiting a tomb, not sure it is impressive tho, but the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier at the War Memorial comes to mind and I kinda find it a bit creepy. :/ Also, I think it was London, the museum, but they had a giant mummy tomb…. that was epic! Haha… I sound like a 5yr old. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      That’s quite impressive! The Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier is quite a place… I know what you mean about the creepiness… but rather than creepy, I feel despondent when I’m there… it’s just the futility of war that strikes you when you enter that place :/

      Reply

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