Aga Khan Trust for Culture: Humayun’s Tomb, India

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Ahmad Amirali
By Hamari Jamatia
 
For years, Humayun’s Tomb underwent restoration and conservation work and now the results are for all to see. Overcoming tough competition from Red Fort and Qutub Minar, the monument, signifying a wife’s love for her husband, won the award for the “Best Maintained Tourist-Friendly Monument” for 2008-2009, organised by the Ministry of Tourism.The prize, which was shared with Bhima Devi Temple in Pinjore, Haryana, did not come as a surprise to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, who received the award at a function on Wednesday. Superintending Archaeologist of ASI (Delhi) KK Muhammed said, “The monument had a huge potential to be developed into a heritage zone and we have been able to do so in collaboration with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC),” he said.

The monument is now set to become bigger and better soon with the ASI having acquired the surrounding land. After a 12-year battle between the ASI and the Delhi State Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) over an 11-acre plot next to Humayun’s Tomb the Ministry of Urban Development handed over the land to the heritage body in January.

The plot houses two Centrally-protected monuments —- Bada Batashewala Mahal and Chotabatashewala Mahal.

It took ASI and AGCT around three years from 2000 to 2003 to restore the monument. The team planted trees all over the place and around 12 hectares of lawns were replanted.

They reinstated the walkways and reactivated water channels. After the conservation work, water began to flow through the water-courses and dried up fountains started functioning. The monument, said Muhammed, is very popular with foreign tourists and there are plans to develop the surrounding area.

The restoration work was done under the aegis of the National Culture Fund.

According to the AKTC website, “the objective of the project was to revitalise the gardens, pathways, fountains and water channels of the chahâr-bâgh, the four-part paradise garden surrounding Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.”

About Ahmad Amirali

I am an educator by profession, pursuing my further career in teaching and learning. I love to read and, even more, love to share what I read.
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2 Responses to Aga Khan Trust for Culture: Humayun’s Tomb, India

  1. taj says:
    April 1, 2010 at 7:40 am

    hi,r u what was the humayun tomb’s mistry

  2. sourav894 says:
    May 23, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    Good to know that there are people interested in the rich culture of my country, and working hard to bring it on the world view.

    Cheers for your wonderful blog.

    Sourav

Comments are closed.