Humayun’s Tomb
Hamida Banu Begum built Humayun’s Tomb. Hamida Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun and the mother of Emperor Akbar, is most famously associated with the construction of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, India.
After Humayun’s death in 1556, Hamida Banu Begum commissioned the tomb in his memory. The construction began around 1565 and was completed around 1572. It was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and became the first grand garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent.
What Did Hamida Banu Begum Build? The Story Behind Humayun’s Tomb
After Humayun’s death in 1556, Hamida Banu Begum commissioned the tomb in his memory. The construction began around 1565 and was completed around 1572. It was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and became the first grand garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent. The project was personally supervised and sponsored largely by Hamida Banu Begum, demonstrating her significant role in its creation.
Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, introducing the Persian concept of a charbagh (four-quadrant garden) layout to India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s widow, Hamida Banu Begum, in 1565, nearly nine years after his death.
Key points about Humayun’s Tomb built by Hamida Begum:
- It was the first structure to use red sandstone at such a large scale in India.
- It influenced many later Mughal architectural innovations, including the Taj Mahal.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today.
It was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, blending Persian, Turkish, and Indian architectural styles. The structure is primarily made of red sandstone with white marble detailing — a style that influenced later Mughal architecture, including the Taj Mahal.
Humayun’s Tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 for its cultural and historical significance. Apart from Humayun, more than 150 Mughal family members are buried here, making it one of the largest surviving Mughal tomb complexes. The grand scale and design symbolized the rising power and wealth of the Mughal Empire during Akbar’s reign.
Humayun’s Tomb set the architectural precedent that was later perfected by Shah Jahan with the Taj Mahal. The tomb is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, near the Yamuna River. Major restoration efforts by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture have revived the tomb’s original splendor in recent decades.
Summary
Question: If Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal, What Did Hamida Banu Begum Built
Answer: While Shah Jahan is celebrated for building the iconic Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Hamida Banu Begum, the wife of Emperor Humayun and mother of Akbar, also left a significant architectural legacy. She commissioned the construction of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi after Humayun’s death in 1556.
Also Read:
Jaya Samhita is the Original Name of:
Which State is Known as Heart of India?
Which is Better: TTE or TC?
How to Write 2 Lakh in Cheque?
What is the Full Form of B.D.O.?
60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!

One app for all your study abroad needs
