हुमायूँ का मकबरा - Humayun's Tomb

We took an afternoon to see Humayun's Tomb, one of Delhi's best kept and popular historic sights. We spent about two hours wandering the grounds where the second Mughal Emporer was buried, in a magnificent tomb constructed by his widow Haji Begum. It preceded the Taj Mahal by almost a hundred years, and is the first in a succession of grand Mughal structures that testify to the vision of the Emporers of that period. It is a great sight to see before going to Agra, as you can get a great feel for how this structure influenced the Taj and many later monuments.

The complex has several monuments and tombs besides that of Humayun. Near the entrance is the tomb of Isa Khan, one of the nobles of Sher Shah Sur (a compeditor to Humayun and the Mughal Dynasty). Just outside the gate to Humayun's garden we climbed on the ruins of Arab ki Sarai, where the artisans and laborers originally dwelled.

We were fortunate to have some rain to bring the temperatures down, and we really enjoyed the well-kept grounds and wildlife. The call of peacocks and their occasional sighting added some authenticity to the Mughal paradise-garden scene. The complex has recently undergone extensive restoration and improvement, including running water in the fountains and channels of the tomb garden plaza. One gets a sense of the grandeur of the Mughals and the permanence of their legacy in India, considering that the complex was built in 1565 AD. It is a must-visit for all who come to see us, especially since it is very close and easily accessed. We didn't take the kids this time (maybe that's why it was so serene...) but this is a great place for them to run around and even climb the stairs to get a view from above. Awesome!