Humayun's Tomb - A Mughal architecture

It is a World Heritage Site (by UNESCO) since 1993. Built under the orders of Hamida Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun, in the mid 16th century; the globular dome, high arches, lattice stone windows, and geometric patterns of the tomb reflect the traditional Islamic style of architecture. It has been said to inspire the structural design of the glorious Taj Mahal.

Built of rubble masonry and red sandstone, and white marble, it took eight years and Rs 1.5 million to build Humayun's Tomb.

The highly geometrical and enclosed Paradise garden around the Maosoleum, paved by walkways and two central water channels, reflect the four rivers that flow in Jannat, the Islamic concept of paradise.

Apart from this, a number of other Mughal luminaries, such as Hamida Begum (Akbar's mother), Dara Shikoh (Shah Jahan's son) and Bahadur Shah II (last Mughal Emperor), were also buried herein.

That's the layout of the massive plot of land. And you can see the 36 squares that surround the structure, divided only by water channels.

I thought the cleverness of the arched door accurately encapsulating the main structure from afar was worth a shot. The square pools of water around the structure beautifully reflects the grandiosity of it all.

That's the grave itself. Honestly, it was quite a "huhhhh?" moment for me, given the majestic facade and the quite ordinary-looking grave. That's me and my mum overlooking the Paradise Garden.