BY AVTAR MOTA
Spread over many acres of land , The Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi is under extensive renovation at the moment . This renovation is being carried out by Archeological survey of India in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust for Culture . The Oberoi Hotels Group has also joined in this conservation project by offering to put an extensive lighting system in place inside this Tomb so as to illuminate the Tomb and enhance its impact on the city’s skyline
I had read that this World Heritage complex exudes serenity ( if visited early in the morning ) with its gardens and birds especially Peacocks . Other structures like Bu Halima’s tomb, Arab sarai , Afsarwala Mosque , Afsarwala Tomb , Hamaam, Baradari , Neela Gumbad , Issa Khan’s Tomb and Issa Khan’s Mosque etc. are equally worth seeing .
I had also heard from a senior ASI official that the dome of Humayun’s tomb is the first major double dome constructed in India . It was a style that was brought to India from West Asia by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas , the Persian Architect who supervised the construction of Humayun’s tomb. The construction of the Tomb was Started in 1565 AD under the orders of Humayun first wife Bega Begum and completed in 1572 AD. The Tomb has been built in close proximity to Dargah of Hazrat Nizam Ud Din Auliya
We all know that the Temple architects in India had mastered the Construction of SHIKHARAS over the sanctum sanctorum . I believe India had no expertise in Building domes . A comparative study of Domes of Alai Darwaza ( 1311 ), Ghias Ud Din Tughak’s tomb ( 1325 ) , Bara Gumbadh Lodhi Garden ( 1484 ) and Humayun’s tomb shows how locals picked up the technique and how amateur efforts graduated in the art of construction of fully semi circular Domes .
No other Mausoleum contains so many distinguished dead of the Mughal Dynasty as the Mausoleum of Humayun in New Delhi . You find so many uninscribed graves inside the complex . I am informed that Humayun’s two wives , Akbar’s mother , Headless body of prince Dara shikoh ( The unfortunate son of shahjahan ), Emperor Jahandar Shah , Emperor Farukhsiyar and Alamgir II have also been buried inside the complex.
I shall not add anything more as so much is available on the net . yes I need to add something that I came to know after my visit to this Mausoleum .
Bahadur shah zaffar and his three princes Mirza Mughal. Mirza Khizr Sultan and Mirza Abu Bakr were captured by Lt. Hodson inside this complex during the uprising of 1857. They surrendered to British army on 23rd sep. 1857.
Redstone from Agra and Marble from Makrana Rajathan have been extensively used in construction of this Mausoleum. The Mausoleum rises from a wide and lofty platform about 6.5 metres in height with an idea of having a commanding view of river Yamuna .The Chhattries or pavilions that are visible in the construction, are essentially of Hindu origin ( Rajputana style ) and give a perfect coherence to its Persian style. The walled garden of this complex represents the Timurid _ Persian scheme that is representative of walkways , fountains and water canals .
When you visit the Mausoleum , you find so many people around and inside . Yes crowded with groups of Tourists emptying from buses , Taxis and cabs outside the main entrance . Clicking Cameras , Video filming Tourists , Indian Guides (speaking French , Japanese , German and Italian ) confront you in this complex…
A visit is recommended .
Avtar Mota is a blogger and writes for local and national papers and magazines
