JOIN USRestoring the charm of Humayun's Tomb
Delhi has a charm of its own and Delhiites never tire of boasting about the rich history of their city, exemplified by many significant monuments and heritage buildings that stand tall. It is not an empty boast for even UNESCO has recognised some of these monuments – Red Fort, Qutub Minar and the Humayun’s Tomb as World Heritage Sites. However, the capital’s chance to become the first ‘world heritage city’ in India has been scuppered as the Centre recently withdrew Delhi’s nomination for a UNESCO World Heritage City tag.
But amid this gloom there is some reason for heritage lovers to be delighted as more than 20 years after Humayun’s Tomb was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, six little known monuments around the tomb too have been given the heritage tag. Humayun’s Tomb, a mausoleum inspired by the Taj Mahal, has undergone a restoration process for six years and was unveiled recently. Discovery Channel premiered a show titled Revealed: Humayun’s Tomb that captured the regained charm of the monument which was built by the Mughals four centuries back.
The hour-long special episode unraveled many secrets and little known myths surrounding this architectural marvel and narrates the majestic tale behind the life of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and his dynasty. From Humayun’s exile in Persia to his death as he tumbled down his library staircase to the rise of Akbar ‘The Great’, Revealed: Humayun’s Tomb has many such intriguing stories. The show also featured the restoration work undertaken by Aga Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to meticulously restore the lost grandeur of the monument.
Commenting on the programme, Rahul Johri, executive vice president and general manager, South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific says, “The programme uncovers significant stories from India and provides the audience the fascinating story of the early Mughal Empire and uncovers secrets about this amazing structure.”
Ratish Nanda, noted Indian conservation architect and the projects director of Aga Khan Trust for Culture tells Metrolife, “Because Humayun’s Tomb has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, so we have to put all the efforts to fulfil its expectation related to this particular monument. The project was started in 2007 and was the biggest ever project I have been associated with. A large number of people were involved with the restoration process.”
He says, “To meet the desired outcome, we had to follow international guidelines related to conservation policy. We consulted internationally acclaimed experts so that he restoration process could be carried out without much hassle.”
Nanda informs Metrolife that the same kinds of tools were used in the restoration process of the Humayun’s Tomb which were used during its construction. “It was a challenging task to restore the charm of this heritage site. A lot of manpower and fund was required to undergo the entire process. We have used the same kind of tools and craftsmanship which were used when the Mughals built this tomb.”
Commenting on the idea of the monument being the focus at the show, Nanda says, “The show will serve many purposes, one of which is to make people aware of the significance of our heritage. Revealed also talks about the conservation process of the heritage sites.
It will teach the viewers that it is each one’s responsibility to take care of our heritage and preserve it.”
The repeat telecast of the programme will be aired on Discovery Channel on July 30 at 9 pm. Do not miss!