States Delhi Heritage Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb Delhi

Being one of the most impressive structures in Delhi, the Humayun’s Tomb which is located conveniently at the banks of Yamuna River is a brilliant architectural splendor of the Mughal period. The Mausoleum is basically a tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun which was built in the 1560s by Humayun’s eldest wife Bega Begum after his death. Today the tomb is a major attraction among the tourists visiting Delhi. Although the building of the Tomb has a complex structure but it is the charm and grandeur of this imposing structure that attracts thousands of travellers every year across the globe.

Visiting Humayun's Tomb one could see the beauty that depicts the true Mughal style of architecture, which was inspired from the Persian style of architecture. The tomb was even inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1993 because of the brilliant architectural beauty. Also, the tomb is surrounded by beautiful lush Mughal garden which is divided into four parts by the pathways. Above all it is the various water channels for the fountains that makes the Humayun’s Tomb a true architectural delight which is a treat to the eyes.

The tomb is built of redstone and the dome of the tomb is made of white marble. Taking a walk inside the Humayun’s Tomb, one could find the architectural features comprising the Baradari (pavilion) and a Hammam (bath chamber). The interior of the tomb is a large octagonal chamber with vaulted roof compartments interconnected by galleries or corridors. This same octagonal plan is repeated on the second storey of of the tomb.

Not just Humayun’s Tomb Complex but the walls located around it also has numerous secrets including the Khanqah and Chillah.

History of the Attraction

The Humayun’s Tomb was built after the death of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1555 AD. He was laid to rest at his palace at Purana Quila in Delhi. Following his death, to preserve the sanctity of their Emperor’s remains, the grieving queen Bega Begum set out for Mecca to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage and vowed to build a splendid mausoleum in the memory of her husband Humayun. Several Persian architect were appointed out of which one was Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, hailing from the Herat region of Afghanistan. Bega Begum did not only commission and paid for the construction of the tomb but supervised its construction as well. The construction of the magnificent and grand edifice involved around INR 1.5 million.

Visiting Timings

One can make a visit to the splendid Humayun’s Tomb between Monday to Sunday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Entry Fees

The entry to Humayun’s Tomb is INR 30 for Indians and INR 500 for Foreign Tourists. For photographers, the entry is free of cost and INR 25 is charged for video filming.

Best Time to Visit

The popular tourist attraction could be visited all throughout the year during the late afternoon. But to witness the best of Humayun’s Tomb, you can plan visiting between October and March as the weather remains pleasant helping you make the most out of your trip in Delhi.

Top Things to Do & Places to See Nearby

Apart from being at Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi has a lot of other places and activities that keeps the tourists involved coming from across the globe.

  • Located at a distance of 4km, visit Charbagh Garden, which is yet another tourist attraction and famous among wanderers, nature lovers and history buffs.
  • Seek blessings at Hazrat Nizamuddin's Shrine which is located at a distance of 1km away from Humayun’s Tomb.
  • Located at a distance of 2km, you can walk to the Indian Art Palace for exploring a large number of Indian handicrafts.
  • Visit to Arab ki Sarai which is situated at the south west of Humayun’s Tomb.

How to Reach

Either get down at the Jor Bagh Station on the Yellow Line or get down at the Khan Market Metro Station or JLN Stadium Metro Station on the Violet Line and take an auto rickshaw or walk to Humayun’s Tomb.

Delhi Travel Information at a Glance