Delhi Trip - stop 1
7th Nov 09 and we're off on our first guided trip around Delhi. The weather is extremely weird - warm, sticky with super heavy smog and very flat light. Just "perfect" for our photos. Anyway...
Stop 1 - Humayun's tomb
Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb was commissioned by his wife in 1562, and was designed by a Persian architect. It’s the first Mughal garden-tomb in India, many of this kind followed later – among them the famous Taj Mahal.
Humayun (that’s short for Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram, Jam-i-Sultanat-i-haqiqi wa Majazi, Sayyid al-Salatin, Abu'l Muzaffar Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun Padshah Ghazi, Zillu'llah) was highly religious, hopelessly superstitious, took astrology very seriously, loved astronomy, supported arts, had a precious library and was a peaceful ruler who often indulged in wine, opium and poetry instead of pursuing his military campaigns. Humayun died unexpectedly at the age of 48 after a curious accident - he fell down the steps of his library, hurrying to obey the muezzin's call to prayer, reportedly after smoking a pipefull of opium. He died three days later, and was succeeded by the 13 year old Akbar. I think I recall our guide saying something like: “It is ironically said that Humayun loved the book and was killed by the book”...
Stop 1 - Humayun's tomb
Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb was commissioned by his wife in 1562, and was designed by a Persian architect. It’s the first Mughal garden-tomb in India, many of this kind followed later – among them the famous Taj Mahal.
Humayun (that’s short for Al-Sultan al-'Azam wal Khaqan al-Mukarram, Jam-i-Sultanat-i-haqiqi wa Majazi, Sayyid al-Salatin, Abu'l Muzaffar Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun Padshah Ghazi, Zillu'llah) was highly religious, hopelessly superstitious, took astrology very seriously, loved astronomy, supported arts, had a precious library and was a peaceful ruler who often indulged in wine, opium and poetry instead of pursuing his military campaigns. Humayun died unexpectedly at the age of 48 after a curious accident - he fell down the steps of his library, hurrying to obey the muezzin's call to prayer, reportedly after smoking a pipefull of opium. He died three days later, and was succeeded by the 13 year old Akbar. I think I recall our guide saying something like: “It is ironically said that Humayun loved the book and was killed by the book”...
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