Three emphatic arches dominate each side, the central
one being the highest. This plan is repeated on the
second storey, and a 42.5m high double dome of marble
surmounts the roof with pillared kiosks ('chhatris')
placed around it. The structure is built with red sandstone,
but white and black marble has been used to relieve
the monotony, the latter largely in the borders. Haveli
Of Hakeem Ashanullah Khan The haveli of Hakeem Ashanullah
Khan, personal physician of the emperor Bahdur Shah
Zafar, was a fortress for those who were able to hide
themselves here in the 'ghadar'- the Sepoy Mutiny time.
The mansion almost covers 2,000-square-yards and appears
to be a mohalla itself. It was because of the orders
of the Hakeem that Ghalib was given the scholarship
to write the history of the Mughal dynasty. Immediately
after the Mutiny, British confiscated the house of the
Hakeem. It was soon returned too, but not before it
was stripped of the old chandeliers and lamps. True
Mughal Architecture The tomb was built by Humayun's
senior widow Bega Begam, popularly known as Haji Begam,
nine years after his death in 1565 according to some,
but fourteen years according to the manuscript of an
18th century text. It is the first substantial example
of the Mughal architecture, with high arches and double
dome, which occurs here for the first time in India.
Although some tombs had already been sited within gardens,
it is also the first mature example of the idea of garden-tomb,
which culminated in the Taj-Mahal at Agra. The enclosure
is entered through two lofty double-storeyed gateways,
one on the west and the other on the south, the latter
now remaining closed. A 'baradari' (pavilion) occupies
the centre of the eastern wall of the enclosure and
a bath-chamber that of the northern wall. A Homage To
The Royal Dynasty Several rulers of the Mughal dynasty
lie buried in the mausoleum, although it is not possible
to identify their graves. Among those lying buried here
are Bega Begam, Hamida Banu Begam - Humayun's junior
wife, Dara Shikoh - Shah Jahan's son, and the later
Mughals, Jalandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Rafi'u'd-Darajat,
Rafi'u'd-Daula and 'Alamgir II, Bahadur Shah II, the
last Mughal emperor of Delhi had taken shelter in this
tomb with the three princes during the mutiny and was
captured here in 1857 by Lieutenant Hodson.
AROUND THE TOMB Barber's Tomb Within the compound of
Humayun's tomb to its southeast stands an impressive
square tomb with a double-dome. It is not quite known
who is buried inside it, although it is usually referred
to as Barber's tomb. There are two graves inside it
inscribed with verses from the Quran. One of the graves
is inside it inscribed with verses from the Quran. One
of the graves is inscribed with the figure 999, which
may stand for the 'Hijra' year corresponding to 1590-91.
Nila-Gumbad Outside the Humayun's tomb enclosure on
the southeastern side stands an impressive tomb of plastered
stone covered with a dome of blue tiles. Octagonal externally
but square within, its ceiling is profusely decorated
with painted and incised plaster. With its high neck
and absence of a double dome, which would be usual for
this period, it is a unique construction. Conforming
to its general colourful appearance around its drum
are traces of tiles of other colours. Known as Nila-Gumbad
(blue dome), it is believed to have been built in 1625
by 'Abdu'r-Rahim Khan Khan-i-Khanan and is said to contain
the remains of Fahim Khan, one of his faithful attendants.
There is some indication, however, that the tomb may
have existed even before the construction of Humayun's
tomb and may, therefore, contain the remains of some
other person. Arab-Sarai The Arab-Sarai consists of
a large enclosure adjoining the southwestern corner
of Humayun's tomb. It is divided into two quadrangles
by series of cells provided with a gateway in the centre.
The western enclosure has now been occupied by the Industrial
Training Institute. Immediately outside its lofty eastern
entrance approached by a gateway from the east, with
traces of paintings on its underside, is the second
quadrangle,originally bounded by arched cells, which
is known as the 'mandi' (market) and was added by Mihr
Banu Agha, chief eunuch of Jahangir. The northern gate
of the Arab-Sarai lies immediately to the right of the
eastern gate of Bu'- Halima's garden.
It is said that the
Arab-Sarai was built by Bega Begam or Haji Begam for
three hundred Arab 'mullas' (priests) whom she had brought
from Mecca. It is, however, suspected by some that the
Arab-Sarai might possibly be a misnomer, and the enclosure
probably housed Persian workers and craftsmen who were
engaged in building Humayun's tomb. Chilla-Nizamu'd-Din
Auliya Outside the north-eastern corner of Humayun's
tomb are the remains of certain rooms with 'verandahs'.
It is believed that this place was used by Shaikh Nizam-ud-Din
Auliya who died in 1325 and whose dargah is described
elsewhere, although the constructional features of an
adjacent double-storeyed house point out to its construction
during the reign of Humayun or Akbar. Bara-Batashewala-Mahal
Within an enclosure to the north of Humayun's tomb,
now occupied by the Bharat Scouts and Guides, there
are some monuments. The largest of these, known as Bara-Batashewala-Mahal,
stands on a raised platform each of its sides pierced
by five arches with a vaulted chamber in the centre.
Originally it was surrounded by a walled enclosure,
which has now disappeared Over the entrance to the central
chamber is an inscription from which we learn that Mirza
Muzaffar was buried here in 1012 A.H. (1603). Mirza
Muzaffar Husain, whose grandfather came from Khurasan
to Babur's court, was the son of Gulrukh Begam, daughter
of Humayun's brother Mirza Kamran. He was married to
the eldest daughter of Akbar, Sultan Khanam. About 40m
east from Bara-Batashewala-Mahal but within its original
enclosure stands another rubble-built tomb with a central
chamber, square within and octagonal externally, with
floral, geometrical and inscriptional decoration in
incised plaster on the interior. It is known as Chhota-Batashewala-Mahal.
The identity of the person buried in the tomb is not
known. Afsarwala Mosque And Tomb Within the eastern
enclosure of the Arab-Sarai lies a mosque on a raised
platform. Its prayer-chamber is faced by three arched
openings, the central bay being roofed by a dome. In
alignment with the mosque to its north is a long dilapidated
hall with arched openings. At the southeastern corner
of the mosque on the same raised platform stands an
octagonal tomb with double dome. The tomb and the mosque
go under the name of Afsarwala. The identity of the
'Afsar' or officer who raised these buildings is not
known. One of the graves inside the tomb bears the figures
974, which may refer to Hijra year corresponding to
1566-67. Both the mosque and tomb may have been built
about that time. Bu'-Halima's Garden As the visitor
approaches Humayun's tomb from Mathura road, he passes
through a rectangular enclosure with a tomb in its northern
half and a gateway on its east, which is in the same
alignment as the main entrance of Humayun's tomb. Since
the northern wall of the Arab-Sarai abuts on the plastered
exterior of the eastern enclosure of this garden, it
may have existed before the Arab-Sarai, built by Humayun's
senior widow. The garden is known as Bu'-Halima's garden,
and an unidentified lady is believed to have been interred
in the above-mentioned tomb. The coloured tiles, traces
of which still exist on the entrance facing the Humayun's
tomb, combined with the use of sandstone, both set in
plaster, lend it a picturesque charm. It is doubtful,
however, if the garden was originally laid for this
tomb, as the latter is not in former's centre, as usual
in garden-tombs.
'Isa Khan's Tomb
'Isa Khan's tomb stands immediately to the south of
Bu'-Halima's garden. It consists of an octagonal garden
enclosure, with entrance on the north, in the centre
of which lies the mausoleum, as in Mubarak Shah's tomb.
With a central octagonal chamber surrounded by verandahs,
each side pierced by three arches, the mausoleum rises
from a low plinth and is surrounded by a dwarf wall.
Above the arches runs a 'chhajja' and each of the side
is surmounted on the roof by a domed 'chhatri', with
the central dome rising from a thirty-two-sided drum.
The sides of the chamber are closed by perforated stone
slabs except on the west and south. The western side
contains a minhrab on the interior, while the southern
side forms the main entrance. A three-domed mosque projects
outward from the western side of the octagonal enclosure.
It follows, thus, the typical pattern of the octagonal
Lodi tombs.
'Isa Khan was a nobleman at the courts of
Sher Shah Suri (1539-45) and his son Islam Shah (1545-54).
There is an inscription over the minhrab mentioning
the date of 954 A.H. (1547-48).
Sabz-Burj
This octagonal tomb with four wide and four narrow sides
('Muthamman-i-Baghdadi'), stands on the roundabout of
the junction of Mathura road and Lodi road to the west
of Humayun's tomb. It has high recessed arches on all
its sides and a high-drummed double dome covered with
coloured tiles, which has given it its present name,
meaning the 'green dome'. Lacking such pre-Mughal features
as 'guldastas', chhajjas and chhatris, architecturally,
the building is in Central Asian tradition and can be
placed in the early Mughal period. With traces of cross-walls
on well-shaped plan and wooden beams preserved in the
upper dome, it retains some clues of the methods of
its construction.
Nili-Chhatri
Nili-Chhatri lies within the compound of the Delhi Public
School on the Mathura Road and is octagonal in plan.
The building stood on a raised platform and was originally
enclosed by a wall. Its outer facades were lavishly
ornamented with enamelled tiles of several colours,
but the entire superstructure has now been demolished.
It is believed to be the tomb of Naubat Khan, a noble
man of Akbar's court.
Timings : Opened till 10 pm on all days of the week.
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