New Museum at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi Depicts Mughal Lifestyle!

Think of one of the longest-ruling dynasties in India, and the name of the Mughal empire will come to mind. This dynasty, in the medieval era, made irreplaceable contributions to Indian society. But do we know all about such an important ruling period that shaped Indian history and culture to a great extent? Well, the answer, disappointingly, could be no! The new museum at Humayun’s Tomb is an attempt to meet this gap with a wide range of displays of the Mughal artefacts.

The Humayun Museum is a new addition to Humayun’s Tomb-Sunder Nursery-Nizamuddin Basti conservation and development project in Delhi. The space is a 300-acre land that is popular for being a winter picnic spot for the residents and also features 60 monuments and the Sunder Nursery Park. The new museum complex has been built according to the UNESCO guidelines for World Heritage Sites.

The complex includes a library, cafeteria, and various visitor facilities, with the main museum located in an underground space that connects the Humayun’s Tomb complex with Sunder Nursery. It comprises five galleries, one of which is reserved for future exhibitions and events. Currently, the museum houses over 500 artefacts sourced from the National Museum in Delhi, ASI and AKTC collections, as well as commissioned pieces. Many of these artefacts are being displayed for the first time. The ASI and AKTC teams have been conserving and uncovering the histories of Nizamuddin, which will also be showcased in the museum.

The entrance zone of the complex features virtual galleries, crafted models, and murals. One mural, titled 'Where the Emperor Rests', is dedicated to Humayun's life and the architecture of his mausoleum. While many of the artefacts are not Humayun’s personal belongings, they serve as storytelling elements. A digital film showcases Humayun’s travels across 122 cities, while additional displays include symbolic items such as flagpoles that represent his conversion to Shia Islam, along with miniature paintings and replicas of his ornate turbans. Visitors can also see a dagger belonging to the Iranian Shah Tahmasp, who reportedly welcomed Humayun after he was ousted by Sher Shah Suri, encouraged his conversion, and later aided him in reclaiming his empire.

Continuing further, visitors will find artefacts dedicated to the Mughal rulers who built and shaped Nizamuddin. A family tree of the Mughal dynasty is displayed, crafted with coins, including the highly prized Jahangiri coins and a rare silver coin commissioned by Akbar featuring the inscriptions Allahu Akbar on one side and Ram on the other. Also on display are treasures such as terracotta sculptures from the Harappan culture. The 17th-century Shah Jahani tiles, arranged in a series, showcase intricate motifs and colors.

An 18-foot finial, originally atop Humayun’s tomb and restored after its collapse in 2014, now stands proudly. This towering structure resembles a stack of kalash vessels, crafted from copper and coated in gold. Another gallery, titled Icons of a Sacred Landscape, centers on historical figures such as the 14th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, poets Amir Khusrau Dehalvi and Rahim (Akbar's commander-in-chief). The gallery also includes paintings, calligraphy in Nastaliq script by Dara Shukoh, a 14th-century copy of the Quran, paintings from the 17th century, and folios from the Jeypore Portfolio of Architectural Details (1890–1913).

This museum aims to bring back glimpses of the Mughal life in the form of paintings, texts, scriptures, and more and makes it an addition to the heritage of Delhi.