HUMAYUNS TOMB

LOACTION : Delhi

Humayun's Tomb is an early example of

Mughal architecture built in Delhi. Built in
the mid 16th century by his wife Haji
Begum. The tomb is situated south of the
Purana Qila, on the eastern edge of Delhi
It is set in the center of a garden in the
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classical Mughal char bagh pattern. A
high wallYYYYYYYYYYYY
surrounds the garden on three
sides. The garden is divided into four
parts by two bisecting water channels
with paved walkways (khiyabans), which
terminate at two gates. Its plan, based on
the description of Islamic paradise
gardens, is known to have inspired the Taj
Mahal
LOACTION : Delhi

SELECTION OF SITE

• Hazrat nizammudin auliya residence was in the

precinct,Humayun himself found close to this soil.
• The premises was already within the city of sher
shah suri and perhaps the south gate of the purana
qila and barapullah.
• Easily available materials, artesian and skilled
laborers
• Its close proximity to yamuna river were other
factors for the selection of this site.
 AIDUKA
•It was a quadrangular structure
which enshrined bone relics.
• It was a three tiered quadrangular
structure which assume a circular
form above the third plinth and
having steps on all the four sides.
• Humayun’s tomb is also a three
tiered quadrangular structure
having steps on all sides and
circular dome above the third
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plinth.
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THE TOMB
• It is a square nine fold plan.
• Eight two-storyed vaulted chambers
radiate from the central, double-
height domed chamber.
• The chambers of each level are
interconnected by straight and
diagonal passages.
• Each of the main chambers has in
turn eight more, smaller chambers
radiating from it.
• The symmetrical ground plan
contains 124 vaulted chambers in
all.
 PLAN
• The central octagonal chamber has the
cenotaph of Humayun, which is encompassed by
octagonal chambers at the diagonals
• It also has arched lobbies on the sides and their
openings are closed with perforated screens.
• Central octagonal hall has eight alcoves, one on
either side, divided into a double-storeyed
elevation.
• The third storey above them has jail openings.
• Above them is the stalactite which takes the
double-dome.
• Three emphatic arches dominate on each side,
of which the central one is the highest
Ground Floor Of Humayun’s Tomb
ROOF PLAN THE SARCOPHAGUS
• The second storey also has a similar design
• The sarcophagus of Humayun is
• Roof surmounted by a 42.5 meters high
found in the central domed chamber.
double dome with marble and pillared kiosks
• The head pointing north, and facing
or chhatris placed around it, which occurs
west according to Islamic practice.
here for the first time in India.
• Black marble has been used for
• This architectural design is known as hasht
geometrical patterns to relive the
bihisht (Eight Paradise) and is typical of
monotony.
Iranian buildings from the time of Timur the
Lame.
• The stone windows are placed in such a way
on all the floors that they allow light to stream
into the central hall throughout the day.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

• A large iwan, a high arch, punctuates the
center of each facade, and is set back
slightly. Together with the other arches
and openings, giving the façade a depth.
• Pink and white stone is used in the
construction of the tomb.
• The dome of the tomb is made of white
stone, which gives it a beautiful look.
• The architects of the tomb, Sayyed Mohammad and
his father were Persian. But they were influenced
with the Hindu architecture and other buildings in
the Delhi. It has hexagonal chattries (domed
pavilions) like those found in the Rajput forts

• One of the eye-catching features of the tomb

is its raised plinth that is the cause of its
visibility on the city skyline today. But
historically its importance lay in the 56 cells
housed within that raised plinth and that
were used as the burial place of almost 100
royal descendants and relatives.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
• The use of red sandstone with white
marble is a reference to the previous
architecture of the Delhi Sultanate
and places the building as a logical
continuation in the same tradition.

• Four central axial water courses define

Char Bagh Garden's quadrilateral
layout at Humayun's Tomb
CONSERVATION

.
Humayun’s garden-tomb is built on a monumental scale, with no precedence in the Islamic
world. The garden-tomb truly represents Mughal innovation with its monumental scale, and its
garden setting representing the Quranic ideal. The monumental scale achieved here was to
become the characteristic of Mughal imperial projects, culminating in the construction of the
Taj Mahal.
Within the complex also stand seven Mughal era garden-tombs which together form a unique
ensemble of 16th century garden-tombs.
Following the successful garden restoration undertaken here, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture
commenced conservation works on the mausoleum in 2007 with co-funding from the Sir
Dorabji Tata Trust and in partnership of the Archaeological Survey of India.
In the latter years of the 20th century, the Humayun’s Tomb site suffered from a condition that
had befallen many World Heritage Sites. Its gardens were worn, its masonry cracked, and the
stonework broken or incomplete, the ruinous appearance resulting in few visitors to the site.
Conservation works have aimed at enhancing the cultural significance of the World Heritage
Site by restoring the architectural integrity and authenticity of craftsmanship.
THANKYOU
PRACHI SHAH 16-ARG-10
SONALI SHAH 16-ARV-26