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Humayun's Tomb

Humayun's Tomb

heritage site · Delhi

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was the first grand Mughal garden-tomb in India, built in the 1560s for Emperor Humayun by his widow Empress Bega Begum.

State
Delhi
Type
Heritage Site

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi was the first grand Mughal garden-tomb in India, built in the 1560s for Emperor Humayun by his widow Empress Bega Begum. Set within a formal Persian charbagh garden divided by water channels, the red sandstone and white marble structure directly inspired the Taj Mahal nearly a century later. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the complex also holds the tombs of several other Mughal-era figures and remains one of Delhi's most-visited historic monuments.

Humayun's Tomb is known for

UNESCO World Heritage SiteMughal charbagh garden-tombArchitectural precursor to the Taj MahalPersian-inspired Mughal architecture

A short history

Commissioned around 1565-1572 by Empress Bega Begum (Haji Begum) to honour her late husband Emperor Humayun, and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas — it predates and directly influenced the Taj Mahal, built roughly seven decades later.

Why Humayun's Tomb matters

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal, among Delhi's most-visited Mughal monuments.

How many people come

12 lakh

monument in 2025 · ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), FY2024-25 footfall

When to go

October to March for cool, comfortable sightseeing weather.

Why visit

The architectural blueprint for the Taj Mahal — a serene Mughal garden-tomb and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Delhi.

Cultural notes

The tomb set a precedent for later Mughal funerary architecture, blending Persian and Indian design traditions, and its charbagh (four-part paradise garden) layout became a template used across the empire.

How to reach

Closest Delhi Metro station is JLN Stadium (Violet Line) or Jorbagh (Yellow Line), followed by a short auto-rickshaw ride. Taxis and ride-hailing cabs also serve the site directly.

Humayun's Tomb guide & itineraries

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