As the first Mughal-styled garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi is a unique site that represents a major turn in the development of India’s architecture.  It was destined to become the first in a long line of similar tombs, culminating in the masterpiece that is the Taj Mahal.  Humayun’s Tomb was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1993.

The tomb site is actually a complex of buildings and features, including mosques, gardens, water channels, pools and other tombs enclosed by a high wall on three sides.  The fourth side would have been bordered by the Yamuna River, but time has shifted the river’s course away from the complex.

The main structure of the complex, Humayun’s Tomb, was built in 1570.  Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor of India and, 14 years after his death, his widow had the building constructed to house his remains.  As time went on, the tomb acquired more than 150 graves in total - mostly relatives and successive emperors.

Cultural importance is placed upon this site because it represents the birth of a tomb-building tradition which would cover India and demonstrates the development of Mughal architecture in its early stages.  The domes and gardens, vaulted roofs, galleries and corridors, and lavish marble decoration of the Mughal tombs are beautiful to behold, and Humayun’s Tomb was the origin.

Problems with vandalism and other forms of destruction have caused damage to the site over time.  Restoration work began in 1999 and took approximately four years to finish.  Currently, there are still issues with maintaining the site and several threats to its continued preservation.