Humayun Tomb Complex, Delhi

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When it comes to talk about Taj Mahal’s blueprint, people redirect you to the Humayun Tomb in Delhi. As people reach the Humayun’s Tomb Complex, they quickly walk past several structures trying to reach the main Tomb. In this hurry, they often ignore the fact, that Humayun’s Tomb Complex is actually a combination of 4 different complexes with a series of monuments, some of which are totally hidden from general visitors.

Let me take you through these complexes in the order, in which they should be visited:

Kotla Isa Khan Niazi

As you enter the Humayun’s Tomb Complex from ticket counter, on the right is Kotla Isa Khan Niazi, oldest planned garden Tomb in India. It is an octagonal tomb with an octagonal boundary wall. The single entry/exit toward North is accessed via a plight of stairs. To west is the 3 domed Mosque on high platform. Right outside mosque, on the platform is a well meant for ablution.

In the middle of beautiful octagonal park is situated the tomb of Isa Khan Niazi. He was born in 1453, when Delhi was just taken over by the Lodhis. Soon he became popular amongst the ruling houses of Delhi. He belonged to a Pashtoon Family and in final years of his life, he was hired by Sher Shah Suri, who made him the governor of Multan bestowed him with the title of Azam-i-Humayu. Within few years of his governorship, Isa Khan Niazi died at age of 95 and was brought to Delhi to be buried in this Tomb, which was built during his lifetime. This complex was built, roughly a decade before the death of Humayun.

Bu Halima’s Enclosure

As we step out of Kotla Isa Khan, we proceed towards Humayun’s Tomb through Bu Halima’s Enclosure. Interesting fact is that the only entrance to Bu Halima’s Enclosure is facing towards Humayun’s Tomb and the towards Isa Khan’s Kotla is its back. However, much earlier the wall towards Kotla of Isa Khan was broken and British created a beautiful pathway through it, connecting Isa Khan’s Complex with Humayun’s Tomb via Bu Halima’s Enclosure.

While not much information is available about Bu Halima, popular record states that she travelled with Babur to India and served as wet nurse of Humayun. Due to her respected status in the Mughal family, she was buried right outside the Humayun’s Tomb and a proper garden tomb was built in her honour. This is an unusual tomb with no dome or chambers. Cenotaph is on the high platform. Ideally, there should have been the crypt with original grave. It also appears that there is a huge chamber below the cenotaph, but lack of access to the chamber leads to two hypotheses: a) It was never built, b) It was sealed during course of time.

Arab ki Sarai Complex

As we cross Bu Halima’s Garden Tomb, entrance to Humayun’s Tomb is just 140 meters further east. Connected to Bu Halima’s Gateway on South is the gateway to Arab ki Sarai. This magnificent complex comprises of several untouched secrets. Starting from the huge gateway with rooms and platform to sit, the inner lawns have random grave platforms. To north is the Afsarwala (Officer’s) Tomb and Mosque, belonging to unknown nobles. 200-meter-long Arab Sarai Complex has a huge market down south, commonly known as Mir Bhanu’s Market. The Market has a small entrance from lawns, often ignored by visitors to Monument. As you cross the secret slit in wall, you find yourself in another huge complex (Mir Bhanu’s Market), with two majestic gates, a huge courtyard with rooms on both sides, a baoli and a small attached block for horses and caravan animals. The gate on west is permanently closed, while the gate on east opens into Nizamuddin East colony is used by local residents only for their morning walks.

Humayun Tomb Complex

After exploring the other three complexes, one can enter the main Humayun’s Tomb. Tomb has 2 entry gates, but only the west gate is open for visitors. Humayun’s Tomb is a fine example of well-planned Mughal Charbagh. The Garden is divided into 4 parts, where each part is further divided into 8 sections. In the centre, stands on a square platform, the majestic Humayun’s Tomb. Though the structure appears to be a square from distance, upon closer observation one realizes that the Tomb is actually an octagon. The southern gate of this complex is most interesting with a small compound attached to it. The compound is closed for public as ASI uses it to store material used to maintain the lawns. It also has a small mosque with graves built with grey stone. In the South East corner of lawns, is situated Barber’s Tomb. People say that he was the loyal barber of Humayun. However, it cannot be said with 100% surety that he was the same person. The Barber’s Tomb contains two graves, probably of barber and his wife.

Towards north and east, we have beautiful pavilions, one touching the Yamuna and other having a huge well which might have had a Persian wheel in past to lift water and circulate for the garden fountains. Garden of Humayun’s Tomb has earliest reference of water harvesting in Delhi.

The main tomb was constructed to be the graveyard of Taimur family. In the centre, rests emperor Humayun, son of Babur. Tomb is reached via four plight of stairs on each side. The high platform has numerous rooms on the lower level. The upper level has main tomb with 5 chambers. Central chamber has grave of Humayun alone, while other 4 chambers have several other family members of Humayun, including his wives and daughters. As the chambers got full, the outer courtyard was used to bury the Mughal royalty. While the grave of Humayun is situated inside the crypt below main grave, the cenotaph is one of the most beautifully decorated.

Cenotaph of Humayun is a rare example where ‘Kalam’, used to denote a male grave is missing from this site. This chamber was originally decorated with beautiful drapes and chandelier illuminating entire complex.

Around the Humayun’s Tomb Complex

Not just Humayun’s Tomb Complex, but the wall around it also hides numerous secrets. The Khanqah and Chillah (residence) of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (r.a.) of chisti order of sufism was constructed much before kotla of Isa Khan Niazi or any other structure in Humayun’s Tomb. The periphery of complex has several other monuments including Sunderwala Burj, Sunderwala Mahal, Lakkarwala Burj, Chhota and Bada Batashewala Mahal, a Mughal Tomb, Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, Nila Gumbad, Sabz Burj, Sayyid Yassin’s Tomb and many graves, mosques and small structures.

About the Author

This is a guest post by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai – a Heritage Activist and Founder of Youth for Heritage Foundation. His methods include promoting heritage through poetry, theater, photography, music and discussions. His site www.monumentsofdelhi.com is the most authentic online source on Monuments, Rulers and Cities of Delhi. His other heritage initiatives include Delhi Heritage Photography Club and Heritage Durbar.

We at IndiTales thank Vikramjit for writing this expert heritage story on Humayun’s tomb, guiding the readers of IndiTales to enjoy the whole of Humayun’s tomb complex and not just one popular monument in the complex.

Recommend these travel blogs on my favorite Places to visit in Delhi.

1. Mehrauli Archaeological Park .
2. The Fort at Ferozabad aka Feroz Shah Kotla .
3. Tughlaq Forts of Delhi – Tughlaqabad Fort & Adilabad Fort .
4. In and Around Purana Qila .
5. Walking on the Walls of Lal Kot .
6. Walk through the Lodi Gardens .
7. Walk through the North Ridge of Delhi .
8. Walking the South Mehrauli Trail .
9. North Mehrauli – Ruins & Remains from across Eras .
10. Walk through everyday bazaars of Old Delhi .
11. Walk through the Aromas of Khari Baoli .
12. Delhi in & around Civil Lines .
13. Exploring the Red Fort at Old Delhi .
14. Anandgram: Sanskriti Museum of Terracotta, Everyday Art & Textiles .