Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
Humayun's Tomb · Delhi, India
Forerunner of the Taj Mahal, the first great garden tomb of the Indian subcontinent.
Know before you go
- Don't climb on the monuments or sit or lie on the cenotaphs
- no drones.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
The emperor who fell down the library stairs
Soon after taking the throne, Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah and lost his entire empire; only after fifteen years of exile did he retake Delhi with the help of the Safavid dynasty of Persia. On 24 January 1556, descending the stairs of his library, the Sher Mandal, with an armful of books, he heard the call to prayer; as he tried to kneel he lost his footing and fell, dying a few days later. His widow Bega Begum then built this garden tomb for him.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The tomb was built in 1569–1570 under the direction of Bega Begum, widow of the second Mughal emperor Humayun, and designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. It was the first 'garden tomb' on the subcontinent: its charbagh garden symbolises the paradise of the Qur'an, and its double dome and combination of red sandstone and white marble directly inspired the Taj Mahal some eighty years later. It became a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Local customs
- The tomb gardens are a weekend picnic and walking spot for Delhi residents
- other monuments of the same period, such as Isa Khan's tomb, are in the grounds too.
Religion & beliefs
- An Islamic tomb complex holding the graves of more than 150 members of the Mughal royal family
- please keep quiet.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
India: some states ban alcohol completely
- Before visiting Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland or Lakshadweep, learn the alcohol rules
- Drinking or carrying alcohol in a dry area
- Drinking in parks and other public places
Drinking or possessing alcohol in a dry state can lead to arrest without bail and 5 to 10 years in prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: e-cigarettes are banned
- Leave your e-cigarette at home
- Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there
E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit
- Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
- Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)
Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: India travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't climb on the monuments or sit or lie on the cenotaphs
- no drones.
Locals appreciate DO
Delhi residents like to walk here in the evening and watch the sunset turn the red sandstone gold from the lawns.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The light is best in the evening, good for photography
- the tomb is next to the Nizamuddin dargah of the Sufi saint, so you can take in Sufi culture too
- allow 2 hours to explore slowly.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Mughlai kebabs / biryani
- Chole Bhature
- Butter chicken
Mughal kebabs / biryani, chole bhature (chickpeas with puffed fried bread), butter chicken (Delhi's famous dish), paratha (Old Delhi fried flatbread), kulfi falooda
| Where to eat | Restaurants around Nizamuddin next to the tomb (famous for kebabs), the snack streets of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, the Khan Market restaurant area |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Nizamuddin is a Muslim neighbourhood with a Sufi shrine — dress appropriately; food is mostly halal; don't eat or drink inside the shrine |
| Typical price per person | INR 400–900 ≈ CNY 34–76 |
| Tips | Sunday evenings at Nizamuddin, with qawwali and snacks, are liveliest; have bottled water with Old Delhi street food. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Gannu03 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
Mbigul · CC BY-SA 4.0
Slyronit · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kuntal Guharaja · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
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