[Culture] Humayun Tomb

Culture

Humayun Tomb

Humayun Tomb

·        UNESCO Cultural heritage status [World Heritage Sites in India: Click Here]

·        Has ~150 graves of ruling family.

·        Hence called the “Necropolis of the Mughal Dynasty”

·        Financer: (Haji) Bega Begum (Humayun’s widow and Akbar’s step mother)

·        Architect: Mirak Mirza

·        Time: 14 years after Humayun’s death. (~1570)

·        Material: red sandstone + marble borders

·        Humayun’s tomb is prime example of Mughal Architecture. Mughal Architecture was inspired from Persian Architecture.

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[Culture] Arab Serai

Culture

Arab Serai

 Arab Serai

Why in news?

Because Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began its restoration along with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC)

·        A traveller’s lodge / inn (Serai) located near Humayun’s tomb in New Delhi.

·        It has 150-feet high gateway and chambers on either side of the entrance

·        Humayun’s first wife (Haji) Bega Begum built Arab Serai (1560-61 AD)

·        Had barrack for Persian scholars and craftsmen. But local people used the noun “Arab” to describe every alien. Hence the name “Arab Serai”.

·        Served as halting point for people travelling to Agra via Grand Truck Road.

·        Later Humayun married again to Hamida Banu- who gave birth to Akbar.

·        During 1857 mutiny, Bahadur Shah Zafar was given advice to hide in this Arab Serai. But he chose to hide in Humauyn’s tomb along with his three sons.

·        Rudyard Kipling also visited Arab Serai.

·        During Akbar’s reign the Persian craftsmen also lived in Arab Serai, while building Humayun’s tomb.

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