Chapter-2 Understanding Humayun'S Tomb
Chapter-2 Understanding Humayun'S Tomb
Chapter-2 Understanding Humayun'S Tomb
Architectural Features
Synthesis of Twostyle
Persian Humayun’s Indian
style Tomb Tradition
LOCATION
The site was chosen
on the banks of
Yamuna river, due
to its proximity to
Nizamuddin Dargah.
TIME LINE
• In plan it is an irregular octagon with four long and four short sides.
• It is surmounted by a 42.5 m high double dome clad with marble flanked by
decorative pillared kiosks (chhatris).
• The middle of each side is deeply recessed by large arched vaults with a series of
smaller ones set into the face.
• The interior is a large octagonal chamber with vaulted roof compartments
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
interconnected by galleries or corridors. This octagonal plan is repeated on the
second storey.
HUMAYUN’S TOMB LAYOUT
• The central octagonal chamber
has the cenotaph of Humayun,
which is encompassed by
octagonal chambers at the
diagonals Octagonal
• It also has arched lobbies on Chamber
the sides and their openings
are closed with perforated
screens.
• Central octagonal hall has eight Main Chamber
alcoves, one on either
side,divided into a double-
storeyed elevation.
• The third storey above them has
jail openings.
• Above them is the stalactite
which takes the double-
dome.
• Three emphatic arches
dominate on each side, of
which the central one is the
highest
Nine Fold Plan
Upper Portion
(Dome)
Mid Portion
(Tomb Structure)
Lower Portion
(Podium)
West elevation of Humayun’s Tomb
Metal finial
Chhatri type
Persian Kiosk
Double Dome
Kiosk with
Turret with Cupolas
Crowning Parapet
Arched
Alcove in the
front Façade
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
• The dome is double-
layered
• The outer layer
supports the white
marble exterior
facing.
• The inner one defines
the cavernous interior
volume.
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
• The stone windows are placed in such a way
on all the floors that they allow light to stream
into the central hall throughout the day.
CHARBAGH GARDEN
• Charbagh or Chahar Bagh is a
Persian style garden layout. In
Persian, "Chār" means 'four' and
"bāgh" means 'garden'.
• The quadrilateral garden is divided
by walkways or flowing water into
four smaller parts.
• In Quran Paradise is described as a
garden of eternity (Jannat-al-
Khuld) with four rivers of water,
milk, wine and honey. Charbagh
concept is an earthly
representation of garden of
paradise.
• The Char Bagh concept is seen in
Humayun's Tomb in a monumental
scale. Displayed its high form in the Basic layout of CharbaghGarden
Taj Mahal
WESTERN GATE
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Pattern Geometrical patterns at the interior of the central
dome. The various jaali patterns because of which the
interiors are well lit. they act as latice screens from which
the sunshine enters the interiors.
ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line The use of horizontal and vertical
lines in the elevation.
Shape The shape of the dome is bulbous.
The arches are pointed.
Color Because of the use of red
sandstone and white marble the color of
the entire structure is red and white
Texture The combination of
rough texture of the sandstone and the
soft texture of the white marble..
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
• The most striking visual feature of the tomb is its size and its garden
setting. In terms of both these features, the tomb established an
unprecedented example in Indian Islamic architecture.
INSPIRATION
Charbagh or Chahar Bagh (Persian:
chahār bāgh, "Four Bāghs") is
a Persian-style garden layout. The
quadrilateral garden is divided by
walkways or flowing water into four
Four central axial water courses define Char
Bagh Garden's quadrilateral layout smaller parts. In Persian, "Chār" means
at Humayun's Tomb 'four' and "bāgh" means 'garden'.