New Delhi: Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the sprawling 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum at the Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site in New Delhi, on July 29, 2024. The event was graced by the presence of Prince Rahim Aga Khan, dignitaries, and esteemed guests from the Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and others.

The Museum is a facility of the Archaeological Survey of India designed and built in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). Inspired by the ancient ‘Baolis’ or stepped wells of Delhi, this underground museum is designed to retain the visual integrity of the monuments located in the complex, as per the UNESCO recommendation that site museums be provided at World Heritage Sites to provide the cultural context of the heritage edifice.

The Museum boasts over 500 esteemed artefacts - from the collections of the National Museum, Archaeological Survey of India, and Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Miniatures, manuscripts, significant architectural elements from Humayun’s Mausoleum, such as the original finial of the tomb, inspired by temples in India and made of copper of almost 100% purity, coins, contemporary art and craft pieces, astrolabes and celestial spheres amidst other metalware, several stone inscriptions dating from the 14th century onwards, glass, textiles, architectural models, all of which convey 700 years of stories developed through rigorous research by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

In his inaugural speech, the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism mentioned that this museum embarked on the historic extension of ‘Indraprastha,’ the capital of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata on the bank of the Yamuna, echoing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, i.e. the amalgamation of development as well as heritage – “Vikas bhi Virasat bhi.” The museum will significantly enhance the visitor experience by providing an understanding of the Outstanding Universal Value of this ensemble that includes monumental buildings built from the 14th to the 19th century. He further highlighted that the museum illustrates what the Prime Minister said in his inaugural address at the 46th World Heritage Committee meeting, that “India is so ancient that every point of the present here tells the story of some glorious past.”

The Minister also highlighted our deep-rooted cultural matrix as he talked about the images of Dara Shikoh’s Persian version of the Upanishad alongside his Quran, and Rahim’s couplets inscribed on the walls alongside his translations of the Ramayan. Both Rahim and Dara Shikoh are buried in this area and are among generations of saints associated with this sacred landscape.

The Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in joining hands and building this site museum, setting up yet another example of public-private partnerships to be forged for various other historical sites across India. He urged all to visit this museum, which is a significant and welcome addition to the historical city of Delhi.

Background

It is a UNESCO recommendation that interpretation centres/site museums be provided at the entrance zone of significant World Heritage Sites to provide the cultural context of the heritage site and thus significantly enhance the visitor experience. The Museum is designed to be underground to retain the visual integrity of the monuments located in the complex.

Museum Galleries

Stone ramps allow visitors to descend into the gallery block. Visitors are welcomed with a 40-foot wide 3D illustration and finely crafted architectural models, which highlight several World Heritage monuments built here along the Yamuna River. Delhi’s 3000-year history is recounted through a map showing the seven cities of Delhi. Artefacts displayed here relate the story of the dynasties who built on the Purana Qila site over millennia.

The first principal Gallery, ‘Where the Emperor Rests,’ is focused on the architecture of Humayun’s Mausoleum and the personality of Emperor Humayun – conveyed through stories of his travels, his deep interest in reading and astronomy.

The gallery, ‘Icons of a Sacred Landscape,’ has exhibits focused on the four iconic cultural personalities associated with the Nizamuddin area from the 14th century onwards. These are the 14th-century Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, his disciple, poet Amir Khusrau – who created the Qawwali music genre. Also here are Rahim, commander-in-chief of Akbar’s army but more famous as a poet for his couplets and his translation of the Ramayan into Persian, and Dara Shukoh – who translated the Upanishads into Persian.

Artefacts

The Museum has over 500 never-seen-before artefacts from the collections of the National Museum, Archaeological Survey of India, and Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Mughal miniatures, manuscripts, significant architectural elements from Humayun’s Mausoleum and monuments in the complex, coins, contemporary art and craft pieces, astrolabes and celestial spheres favoured by the Mughals amidst other metalware, several stone inscriptions dating from the 14th century onwards, glass, textiles, are all on display. Finely crafted architectural elements, carefully matching the original, and realistic architectural models help convey 700 years of stories – some familiar but most revealed now following a decade of rigorous research carried out for the Museum by the interdisciplinary team at the Archaeological Survey of India and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Support/Donors

The foundation stone of the Museum was laid in April 2015. The museum building and exhibition have cost ₹250 crore. Towards building costs, an initial grant of ₹49 crore was provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has also provided significant funds. AKTC has also received funding support from Havells India Private Limited, the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, Embassy of the Federal Republic of India, Tata Trusts, Hilti Private Limited, Avanee Foundation, The Saluja Family Trust, among others.

Museum Management

The Museum will lead to a significant increase in the time spent by visitors to the Humayun’s Tomb – Sunder Nursery World Heritage precinct. Over 300,000 school children who visit here annually will now leave with an enhanced understanding of the site. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as Managing Trustee of the Government Sunder Nursery Management Trust, will assist the Archaeological Survey of India in the management of the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum for a period of 10 years from the date of opening. /BI