Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb:Privileged to be assigned as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, this tomb was believed to be designed by Haji Begum, Humayun's Persian widow in the mid 16th century, shortly after his death in 1556. The tomb was an important predecessor of Mughal mausoleums. The 'Garden Tomb' as it is popularly called, is set amidst a geometrically planned garden with a number of water channels crisscrossing it. Typically, a Persian garden that would later be seen in the Red Fort of Delhi and Taj Mahal of Agra, its architectural form and especially its main chamber bears familiarity with the tomb of the Mongol Ilkhanid ruler of Persia, Oljeytu, at Sultaniyya, which in turn was influenced by Timurid architecture of the tomb of Timur (Tamerlane) in Samarkand, the lineage of Babur. The first Indian building to use the Persian double dome, Humayun's tomb is harmonious in its proportions and has some impressions of Indian architecture that are clearly visible in the small kiosks or chhatris on the roof. The building has beautiful inlaid tile work and intricately carved stone screens.