Delhi has been my base since 2006, however, first time I felt utmost regret on a December morning when I finally entered Humayun Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I was awestruck with the unexpected, never-imagined-before grandeur and ages old magnificent splendor of Humayun Tomb. The august feeling sent a shivering signal to my mind triggering regret for not visiting this historic place even once in so may years.
First View of Humayun Tomb
Thanks to Delhi Photography Club for forcing me out of my bed early on a December morning to capture this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lately, after having read Alex Ruthorfords series of books on Moghul Empire, I have developed an urge to see Moghul Structures closely spread mostly in Delhi and Agra.
This tomb commissioned in 1562 by Hamida Banu Begum, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. 
Taj Mahal is believed to have been inspired from this tomb, which was, in turn, based on the tomb of Timur, an ancestor of the Mughals, which is located in Samarkand. Shahjahan build Taj Mahal for his love of life and now Tajmahal has become the symbol of love for everyone across the globe, however, I feel Humayun’s Tomb is equally if not better suited for this stature.
Lets delve into history of Humayun and his second wife Hamida Banu Bagum who ordered this tomb to be built and was also the mother of Great Akbar. Their story of togetherness while in exile is far more moving and intriguing than the separation Shajahan felt after Mumtaj’s Death.
After loosing Delhi to Shershah Suri, Humayun and Hamida took many perilous jounrney across Thar Desert, Sindh, Afganistan upto Persia with a dual purpose of saving themselves from the wrath of Shershah Suri and also to gather support to conquer back what belonged to Moghuls. During these perilous Journeys in 16th Century, she gave birth to Akbar at Umerkot and they further undertook long journeys and considerable hardship to ensure safety of Akbar. Their story of 15 years in exile really has far more elements of emotions than so called Laila Majnu, Siri-Farihad, Romeo-Juliet. On account of this I feel Humayun Tomb deserve equal, if not more, attention than the Taj. And that’s why I believe Historian Laura Syke has described it as Masculine equivalent of Taj Mahal.
So when I entered this Mausoleum it was the perfect Golden Hour time and sun was yet to rise from the back of Tomb. The Chief Architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas from Herak must have mastered the art of Geometric Symmetry as the entire tomb is a marvelous example of precision and symmetry. Mirak Mirza designed it in a Persian “Charbagh Style” or four sqaur garden style enclosed by high walls on three side and River Yamuna on the other. Like Taj, It has a high raised platform which gives a grand view to entire setup. A landmark in Mughal architecture, it set the tone for grandiose memorials and use of red sandstone in large scale construction.
Let, now, photographs do the talking,
Golden-Blue sky of morning hours gives a perfect backdrop to this landmark
It has four sqaure body at four side. The golden Shadow of Tomb is amazing.
Magic of Symmetry: Grand View from First Corner as we move anti-clockwise from enterance. Magic of Symmetry!!
Magic of Symmetry: Grand View from Second Corner as we move anti-clockwise from enterance. Sun is at the back.
Magic of Symmetry: Grand View from Thrid Corner as we move anti-clockwise from enterance.
Magic of Symmetry: Grand View from Fourth Corner as we move anti-clockwise from enterance.
While capturing it from four corners, i was in awe with the change of color/hue in sky. Superb!!
Now lets move to first floor or on the paltform:
From Grand Paltform.
It gives better contrast than Taj with same splendor.
Front View!!
Side View!
Green Carpets: Lovely Gardens!!
Beautiful Landscape!
Historic Humayun Tomb!! Thanks to Moghuls for enriching India with so much!
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Delhi has so much to offer to Heritage Walker and History lover!! Now would explore more of Delhi and bring it to you all!! Stay Tuned!!
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Would love to take you on Photowalks and Guided tour to Delhi’s Heritage Sites and bylanes of Delhi. So, connect with me before you plan your next visit to Delhi.
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Captured superbly
Thanks Paresh 🙂
Great pictures, symmetric horizontally and vertically. Loved the reflections and the angle of the shots. Lovely heritage walk. I do remember your offer 🙂
Haha.
You are welcome always.
Thanks Again.
The first ray of sunlight makes it look even more beautiful! Humayun’s Tomb is not just an example of brilliant architecture, but it has got great history behind it, too! Apparently, Taj Mahal was built after drawing inspiration from this impressive monument.
Yes Renuka, you are absolutely right! In fact, all Moghul structures drew inspiration from Humayun Tomb.
What an AMAZING bit of history you wrote that dates back 450 years.
The grandeur of it, through your superb photography takes my breath away!
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Carl. However, history is far more intriguing which i may never narrate. I feel it when i visit such places.
Thanks Again. 🙂
Thanks for sharing its history. I lived in Noida for close to 1.5 years and traveled to Delhi for 4 years but never saw any of its landmarks. I regret it now and more so, after looking at your stunning shots. Loved all your pictures. Too good!
Thanks Saru.
Delhi is full of such surprises which i also missed earlier. But now making it my priority to capture more of Delhi.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Awesome pictures Himanshu!!!
(do check out my latest post on http://amillionvoicesinside.com/ )
Thanks Shanta. Certainly i will check out ur post.
Stunning photographs of this magnificent piece of architecture…Loved them all..:)
Thanks Suyash. It is indeed magnificent.
Well described!! I now have an incessant desire to see Shahjhan’s inspiration!!
Thanks for the appreciation. Your appreciation means alot to me….and you know it!!
Hi,
I have visited Humayun’s Tombs earlier this year! What a marvelous building and surroundings!! Loved it!!
Thanks for dropping by on my blog. i hope u like the post on Humayun Tomb. Its indeed awesome.
C u again.
That last photo is captured so perfectly!
Thanks. keep visiting.
What a beautiful building. You have captured Humayun Tomb so well. It was worth getting out of bed early, I think.
Indeed it was worth. Thsi structure is grand and very beautiful
We stopped at this tomb on our two days in Delhi (http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/two-days-in-new-delhi/) and thought it was beautiful! However, we didn’t capture the beauty nearly as well as you did!
Thanks. Would visit your blog. C u again.
Why is it so often that we don’t visit the places that are so near our home? We shouldn’t take them for granted. The Humayun Tomb looks amazing on your photos, I especially like the last one 🙂
Humayan Tomb could certainly be a sibling to the Taj Mahal! This kind of beauty doesn’t lurk in everyone’s location, so glad you got there to share it here.
So true… This place is really awesome.
You have really captured the tomb area well. I loved visiting there a few years ago 🙂
Thanks for the appreciation. You have to c it in person to appreiate its beauty.
Beautiful photos! And what a beautiful place! It’s always a great feeling to finally visit somewhere you’ve never been before despite being there for a long period of time!
Absolutely…and delhi has rich heritage and hostory. Yet to explore a lot..
Love your pictures of this stunning Tomb! So interesting that it was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. I love the symmetry and detail that goes into so many of the historical buildings in India.
Symmetry out there is really stunning. Must be visited.
You got some absolutely stunning photos – thanks for sharing. I’ll be sure to not miss this on our upcoming trip through Delhi. Though I’m the same with my home country of Australia…I’ve found we’re so keen to visit other sides of the world and explore new cities that we don’t take the time to properly explore the fascinating surroundings in our own backyard. You’ve inspired me to get out more locally, so thanks!
Good to know that u are coming to Delhi. Wuld love to meet you and host you. Do let me know about your plan. My id is everythingcandid@gmail.com
India has so much to offer the photographer. Its funny but living in Mumbai, everyone I speak to says don’t go to Delhi! Its like that rival city thing
India has immense variety!
Yes there is a kind of rivalry between two cities. But WIthout delhi, inida is incomplete as it has been its capital since many many centurines! I have ived in bth cities and find Delhi a better place personally.
I love the history! Absolutely fascinating!
Thanks Richard for your comments!
A stunning place and so much quieter than the Taj Mahal. Thank you very much for sharing these places with us, we are researching places to visit in India and this looks beautiful and also has fascinating history too.
Indeed for me its more charming than Taj. But Taj is different worldly. 🙂 If you need any help in planning your india visit, do connect with me over mail everythingcandid@gmail.com
The time you opted to capture a UNESCO Heritage site gives more justice in appreciating such structure.
Indeed….. effort well paid.
This temple looks stupefying, as is its history! Thanks for sharing the story!
Dear Svet, its not a temple its a Tomb. Please read again!
Brings back a lot of memories! I went there two years ago, and I reallt love the rich history of the place 🙂
Do share the link of your post if there is any on Humayun Tomb. Would love to read 🙂
I went there couple of years ago and still haven’t written anything about it. Which I guess I should. Would love to share it with you.
Happy travels Everything Candid!
You must…. look forward!
We visited this place in 2009 although armed with a compact camera and zero photography knowledge our pictures were nowhere near as good as yours! Love them! I might start seeing if there are any photography clubs in the places we visit
I am so delighted that you like them. I also feel seeing the city wth local photography cllub could be a good option!
Gorgeous! The pictures with the reflection in the water are just stunning. I love visiting UNESCO sites. 😉
Thanks. It was one of those days when i clicked my best shots! :))
We went by this place in 2012 albeit equipped with a smaller camera and zero photography learning our photos were no place close on a par with yours! Adore them! I may begin checking whether there are any photography clubs in the spots we visit
Thanks for your kind words. I also find it a good option to connect with local group.
your photo project is really good… keep sharing….its just very lovely…