Tragedy near Humayun's Tomb sparks concern for appropriate care of heritage buildings: Expert

Few monuments embody Delhi’s identity as strongly as Humayun’s Tomb .

Six people, including three women, were killed and five others injured on Friday after the roof and wall of two adjoining rooms at the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah near Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi’s Nizamuddin collapsed during heavy rain.

Initial confusion over the location of the collapse sparked alarm, with many fearing damage to the adjacent Humayun’s Tomb, the 16th-century Mughal garden-tomb commissioned by Bega Begum, the first wife of Emperor Humayun. Those fears were unfounded.

The confusion over the site of the collapse, however, showed how deeply Humayun’s Tomb resonates with the city. The episode highlighted the fragile state of many lesser-known heritage structures in Delhi. Speaking to TOI, author Neeru Misra, who has written The Garden Tomb of Humayun, said the public’s immediate anxiety over Humayun’s Tomb underlines its symbolic importance.

“The robust monument is a landmark and a major symbolic identity of Delhi, and there was an element of disbelief as well. The immediate outpouring of public concern whenever heritage damage is reported shows that heritage sites function as vital anchors of collective identity in contemporary Bharat, transcending their architectural significance to embody the nation's cultural consciousness," Misra said.

Humayun’s Tomb, often described as a precursor to the Taj Mahal, has historically set the template for Mughal funerary architecture.

“Built under the patronage of Empress Bega Begum and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, this mausoleum introduced revolutionary architectural innovations that fundamentally transformed Indo-Islamic funerary architecture,” Misra explained, pointing to its charbagh gardens, double dome, and red sandstone-and-marble design as features that culminated in the Taj Mahal.

That enduring legacy explains why the tomb continues to fascinate scholars and visitors alike.

"Beyond its architectural significance, Humayun's Tomb maintains profound spiritual resonance for contemporary visitors. The monument's design as a representation of Quranic paradise, with its flowing water channels and geometric perfection, creates a contemplative environment that transcends religious boundaries. Visitors consistently report experiencing a sense of connection to history and spiritual reflection, finding solace in its serene gardens and masterful proportions," she said.

The tomb underwent extensive conservation between 1997 and 2013, a project Misra says offers important lessons for heritage protection. “The restoration’s foundational philosophy prioritized authentic material compatibility over modern convenience. Craftsmen removed over one million kilograms of 20th-century concrete that had compromised the monument’s structural integrity, replacing it with lime-based mortars identical to original 16th-century formulations,” she said, noting how traditional techniques combined with modern technology ensured authenticity.

For Misra, Friday’s tragedy is a reminder that attention must also extend beyond celebrated monuments to adjoining sites. “It felt like a loss of the heritage of the present day, something belonging to us, leaving a cavity, and the resultant pain and frustration at the inability to fight the vagaries of nature. It also led to intense concern about appropriate care for our heritage buildings of yesteryear,” she said.