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Humayun Tomb is a memorial tomb built for the late Mughal emperor, Humayun. It was built under the orders of Bega Begum, his first and most trusted wife. The tomb is situated in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin area and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
The location is so significant because it is one of the earliest garden tombs of the Indian subcontinent. It is also a historical landmark because the complex houses the tombs of several other rulers, including future Mughal rulers and other kings and important courtesans of Delhi like Jahandar Shah and Bega Begum herself.
The Humayun Tomb location also has generated a lot of interest over the years and centuries because it was a tomb that was built almost a decade after the demise of Humayun. He was earlier buried within the premises of his castle and after several shifts, was finally laid to rest in this majestic garden tomb.
The location is also very significant because it was at this very spot that the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar and his sons were captured by British soldiers in late 1857. It proved to be a landmark event in the history of India, as after this, the British stronghold increased, and they began ruling India completely.
Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad was the son of the first Mughal Emperor, the famous and revered king Babur. Upon accession to the throne, he adopted the regal name of Humayun and has been known by that name thereafter. He had two successful reigns before he died and passed on the throne to his son, the most successful Mughal ruler, Akbar. When Humayun died in 1556, his first wife and most trusted consort, Bega Begum, commissioned the construction of Humayun ka Maqbara. It took nine years to be built, and in the meanwhile, Humayun’s coffin travelled to different places. Immediately after his death, he was laid to rest in the palace. However, the coffin was then sent to various places, including Pakistan, where his son Akbar was stationed at that moment.
After the Tomb was constructed at its current location in Delhi’s Nizamuddin, the coffin was brought back and put to its final resting place. Humayun Tomb, built by Persian architects chosen by Bega Begum, was one of the most stunning monuments of the time. Such architectural intricacies, which were a combination of Mughal and Persian architecture, were not seen commonly at the time and this made the place so popular. The tomb is significant even to this day. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and, ever since, has undergone extensive renovation work.
Apart from Humayun, many other important people from India’s historical past are laid to rest here, including several other Mughal kings, rival rulers and also the person who commissioned the place - Bega Begum.
There are some very intriguing and interesting facts about Humayun s Tomb. Let’s explore some of them:
Humayun s Tomb is located in the heart of Delhi. As we all know, this city has extreme weather conditions with very hot summers and very cold winters. The rains can get quite intense too, and this is why you need to know the best time to visit Delhi which will help you enjoy the place without getting uncomfortable due to the weather. Here are some pointers to remember:
The exact Humayun Tomb address is in Nizamuddin East in Delhi. It is a famous place that has many residential complexes, shopping centres, and markets and is considered to be one of the most well-known pockets of the city. Many freedom fighters lived in Nizamuddin East, and their bungalows and houses can still be spotted in the area. Apart from Humayun’s Tomb, there are other historical monuments, such as Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya, that can be found in this neighbourhood.
To reach the place and explore the Humayun Tomb history, you first need to arrive in the city of Delhi. There are several ways in which you can do so, like:
Served by the very large and impressive Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi is well connected by air from all Indian cities and also from most international destinations. You can easily fly in from anywhere in India if you choose to reach Delhi by air.
Your next option is to travel by train. India has an extensive railway network, and no matter which part of the country you belong to, you will surely find several trains to Delhi. Find out a suitable route and reach Delhi by rail.
Both public, as well as private buses work in hundreds to bring people to the national capital every single day. There are many buses that you can take to reach Delhi. You also have the option to reach by cab or drive your own car into the city.
Here are some options you have to reach the tomb of Humayun after you arrive in Delhi:
You can drive your own vehicle or hire a four-wheeler to reach Humayun Maqbara. There are several car rental services that you can choose from. You can hire a cab on the spot or book it for the whole day.
Many bus routes pass through Nizamuddin East, which is the Humayun Tomb location. You can hop onto any bus and get dropped right in front of the monument. This is a convenient and inexpensive way to reach the tomb.
The Metro Railway Network in Delhi is excellent, and there is a metro station right outside Humayun Tomb. This is another great and fast way to reach the place as you get to avoid traffic.
Auto rickshaws are very easily available all across Delhi. You can get an auto rickshaw from wherever you are staying in the city. However, the drivers often charge the tourists a higher rate, so you should insist on travelling only if they allow you to pay by the fare metre.
Cycle rickshaws are an interesting and leisurely way to get to Humayun s Tomb. You can hop onto any cycle rickshaw and take a nice journey through the famous bylanes of Delhi to reach the monument.
And finally, you always have the option to walk, but this is something that you should ideally only do in winter.
Make good use of these tips, and you will surely be able to commute easily and safely when you are navigating through the streets of Delhi en route to the Tomb of Humayun.
Like any other famous tourist spot in India, visiting Humayun's Tomb also has its set of rules and guidelines. It helps you to be better prepared when you know what you need to do and how. Here are some handy tips for you:
It is extremely advisable for you to book the entire trip well in advance. From booking your travel tickets to booking a hotel to booking local transportation for sightseeing, don't leave anything for the last moment. Online booking has become extremely easy these days, so take full advantage of it.
Choose a suitable time for your trip. Do not visit when it is too hot or too cold, or rainy. Do some research and understand how well the weather is suited for your vacation, and then plan accordingly. If, however, you need to visit at a time when the weather is not very comfortable, carry the right accessories and clothes to stay safe.
You need to pack properly for your trip to Delhi. As mentioned above, both the summers, as well as the winters are harsh in Delhi. If you are planning to travel in summer, have cotton clothes, hats, umbrellas, etc. These will keep you cool and comfortable while you explore Humayun’s Tomb. If your vacation is going to be in winter, carry heavy, woollen clothes that can make you warm. Also, carry proper shoes, socks, gloves, caps, etc to ensure you are completely covered and protected from the cold climate.Have a local guide:
And last but not least, look to hire a local guide. Ensure he is reliable and speaks your language. This is especially helpful for foreign nationals who, unfortunately, encounter fraudulent people at times. Get the guide from your travel agency or your hotel.
The monument is open 365 days a year. It is open on weekends and public holidays, too, so you can easily plan your travel without having to worry about closures. You will have to purchase the Humayun Tomb ticket, which is available at the entrance. The tickets are also sold online, and you can book them in advance.
The tickets are priced differently for different groups of people. Indian children below the age of fifteen years do not have to pay to enter Humayun ka Maqbara. They can enter free of charge and enjoy the place while learning more about its history and architecture. Anyone who is a citizen of India and is aged above 16 years, needs to pay an entry fee of Rs 35. This is a small amount, and there is no time limit. Once you are in the beautiful garden tomb, you can spend the whole day admiring the monument. For foreign nationals, the Humayun Tomb ticket price is Rs 550 per head. If you wish to carry a camera, you have to pay an additional fee of Rs 25. This is both for still, as well as video cameras. You are, however, not allowed to use the footage you shoot for any commercial purpose. For that, special permission would be needed.
The Humayun Tomb timings are from 8 am to 6 pm. You can visit at any time during this period. In the summertime, it is advisable to reach the monument as early as possible, preferably immediately after it opens. This is because the weather is cooler at the time, and the sun is not as bright and harsh.
Hindi is predominantly spoken in and around Humayun s Tomb. There are some tourist guides, cab drivers and local shopkeepers who may converse in broken English, but it is rare to find anyone local who doesn't speak Hindi in this area. If you are not conversant in Hindi. It would be a good idea for you to book a good tourist guide who speaks proper English (or the language you are most comfortable with) in advance. This would surely save you a lot of trouble and hassles when you are actually inside the TOmb, trying to figure the place out. Knowing a language to communicate in will surely help you when visiting Delhi and the famous attractions there such as the Tomb of Humayun.
Some of the very best food in India is available in Delhi, and when you are in the city to visit Humayun’s Tomb, you should never miss out on these culinary delicacies. You get a wide range of food items that mainly belong to North Indian cuisine. Nizamuddin East has both big restaurants and small roadside eateries, and you will find awesome dishes in both places.
There are plenty of blogs, journals and videos on the web regarding the food available in the area. If possible, do some research beforehand and discover what you want to savour and where you want to try it from. Then, locate your favourite eatery and go on a gastronomic journey!
There are upscale markets like Khan Market and Ansal Plaza within walking distance from the Tomb. you will find everything from clothes to electronic items in these places. However, if you want to explore the highly famed shopping circuit of Delhi, visit the Sarojini Nagar Market or Janpath, which are about 10 minutes away. You can find a huge variety of clothes, footwear, artificial jewellery, home care items, etc. And the best part is that you will not have to spend a fortune, as shopping in these places is quite budget-friendly, filling your bags and warming your hearts!
Delhi has some of the most interesting walking tours, and they are often found around the famous historical monuments such as the Humayun Maqbara. Not only can you discover all the places around you and learn about their history, but you can also connect with like-minded tourists from around the globe and have a very rewarding experience. Many of these tours are available free of charge, while some need to be paid for and booked in advance. Do your research and find out about the tours so that you can book them online when you get a Humayun Tomb online ticket.
If you are passionate about photography, Delhi, especially the Humayun Tomb location, will be a dream destination for you. With many beautiful monuments, mosques, gardens and beautiful natural landscapes, you will have many intriguing subjects to focus on. If you have a camera, you may have to pay extra to take it inside Humayun's Tomb and the other monuments around. If, however, you use your phone to shoot, you need not pay any extra fee.
If you are going to Delhi to see the monument and admire the Humayun Tomb architecture, you will have a lot more places to visit in Delhi as well. There are some beautiful structures around Humayun’s Tomb that you must explore as well when you visit this majestic structure. Some of them are:
Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya:
The Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya is a very serene and peaceful structure in all of Delhi. It was the residence of the famous Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya. After his death, he was buried here, and a tomb was made in his honour. You can witness typical 14th-century architecture in this beautiful monument. It is located within the Humayun Tomb Complex.
Gurdwara Damdama Sahib:
Situated at a distance of 7 minutes from Humayun’s Tomb, the Gurdwara Damdama Sahib was built in 1707. It is one of the oldest gurdwaras in Delhi and is known for its exceptional beauty and architecture. You can surely plan a trip to this gurdwara when visiting the Tomb.
Afsarwala Tomb and Mosque:
Another beautiful tomb and mosque situated inside the Humayun Maqbara, the Afsarwala Tomb and Mosque, also are counted as a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is very beautiful and peaceful and a favourite with many tourists who go to visit the Tomb regularly.
Isa Khan's Tomb:
A stunning octagonal tomb situated within the Humayun Maqbara complex, it is very grand in its architecture and also has a rich history. If you are visiting Humayun’s Tomb, ensure you see Isa Khan’s tomb too, which is situated right there at the same place.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Darga:
A very famous and old dargah in the heart of Delhi, the Hazrat Nizamuddin Darga is pristine, peaceful and extremely rich in design and history. It is located at a distance of just about 10 minutes from the Tomb of Humayun, and it is highly recommended that you visit it.
