Humayun Tomb's New Sunken Museum in Delhi is an inspiring mix of history and modernity

India’s capital, New Delhi, has a new museum to boast about. The country’s first sunken museum, within the premises of the Humayun’s Tomb, was recently thrown open to the public.

The underground museum, inspired by the famous ‘baolis’ that scurry across the city’s map like little ants, is an ode to over 25 years of conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

The museum boasts of never-seen-before artefacts and curios discovered from the Humayun’s tomb, Sunder Nursery, and the surrounding areas.

This writer took a trip to the capital’s youngest attraction, and realised that it was a treat, oneto be seen over and over again.

Situated at a stone’s throw from the iconic tomb of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun, the museum blends the modern and the historic, and serves them splendidly on a platter for the world to relish.

Ever since Humayun’s Tomb was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it has witnessed immense change, and the museum is a beautiful ode to this journey.

The transition from the shabby and unkempt Humayun’s Tomb of this writer’s childhood experience to the ultra-modern and sparkling clean sunken museum is spellbinding.

Imaginative use of technology

The museum begins with an introduction to Nizammudin Auliya and the Sufi saint’s significance in the lives of Mughal rulers. What greets the viewer is a wall-high mural of the entire area in all its perfect symmetry, flanked by a row of scaled-down models of the Lakkar Wala Burj, Isa Khan’s Grand Mausoleum, and the Nila Gumbad, including even the minutest of their coloured tiles.

Just opposite is an immersive gallery curated by Havells, having a 270-degree screen showcasing the entire area from a bird’s-eye view and the construction of the tomb through the ages. The impression is complete but the low-resolution footage slightly mars the show.

As the visitor moves through the galleries, one is greeted by Smithsonian-like signages, bold and colourful. From the historic and religious significance of a Mughal emperor’s tomb to a 14th-century manuscript containing the iconic Persian poem of Laila-Majnu, what stands out is the brevity.

The most important facts are displayed prominently and clearly for the casual visitor, while avoiding tedious details that often take over a museum.

Intricate details on display

A ‘farmaan’ issued on the arrival of Humayun by Shah Tahmasp, the second shah of Safavid Iran, is overlaid by English so that the reader can read it all at once.

As one makes their way through the many open atriums, they are finally met by an earlier finial of Humayun’s tomb, a jaali, the intricate blue tile work showcased digitally on a cross-section of the Nila Gumbad, and a six-pointed star.

Like fine wine, all of them have been preserved to make sure they pass the test of time.

Standing next to history and observing, separate from the monument, creates an illusion of taking a time machine and travelling back to the years gone by.

At last, come the miniatures that once surrounded Humayun and his family. The display of the seven attires of the Emperor tailored to the seven days of the week, showcased beautifully, with even the minutest of details displayed big and bold, is the most striking of them all.

History meets modernity

The use of modern interior design with ancient knowledge is one that Indians have not witnessed even in the much-trodden- National Museum.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, headed by Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims along with the Archaeological Survey of India has made history fun again, taking it off dusty bookshelves and presented it afresh using riveting technology.

Worth your time?

The sunken museum is a must for every resident of Delhi, the city which Emperor Humayun cherished and where he later fell to his death, if not for history, then just for its simple and cool design.

If Humayun were alive now, he would have certainly grinned at this marvellous ode to his life. But only if the Emperor were not busy looking for a seat on the Delhi Metro.

The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday.