Built in the mid-16th century, this is the first important example of Mughal
architecture in India.
It is a massive mausoleum complex dedicated to the second Mughal emperor.
Humayun ruled from 1530 to 1540 and then again from 1555 to 1556, when he died
after a fall from the steps of another Delhi
landmark, Sher Mandal. This complex, built between 1562 and 1571 under the
orders of Humayun's heirs, encompasses 30 acres divided into several quadrants.
Each one contains different tomb structures. The centerpiece of the whole place
is a huge square building, dedicated to the emperor himself. It has high arched
entrances topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens. The
gardens also contain the red-and-white sandstone and black-and-yellow marble
tomb of Humayun's wife and, somewhat surprisingly, the tomb of Humayun's
barber.
The Red Fort
The Red Fort is a red sandstone castle which contains the remains the Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan. It was started in 1639 and finished about 1648. It was the
center of Mughal power until 1857, when the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah
Zafar was exiled in the wake of the Sepoy Mutiny. The Red Fort is more like a
small, imperial city, protected by red walls. As soon one enters in the fort
from the Lahore gate there is a
small Bazaar, here all kinds of items are available. This Shopping arcade was
known as the Mina Bazaar. The arcade leads to the Naubat Khana or the drum
house where musicians used to play drums on the arrival of Emperors or other
princes. Just above the Naubat Khana is the Indian war memorial museum which
has a rich collection of armor, guns, swords, and other items related to war.
The Dewan-i-Am or the place of public hearing had a wall paneled with marble in
laid with precious stones which were removed during the Sepoy Mutiny. The
Dewan-i-Khas or the place for special hearing was the area where the emperor
used to hold meetings with his ministers. Next to Dewan-i-Khas are the royal
baths or the Hammams and Shahi Burj which are closed for public viewing. The
white marbled Moti Masjid or the pearl mosque was the private mosque for
Aurangzeb.