07
October, 2021July 15, 2022

Barber’s Tomb – The Not So Known Red Sandstone Monument

I won’t exaggerate if I say Delhi is the land of monuments. There are monuments which are famous, which are World Heritage Sites. Then there are monuments that are not WHS but still famous. In this list, there are some monuments that stand gloriously with no or very few historical records. I have come across several such monuments in Delhi which have no name, we don’t know who built them, why they were built and when they were built. These monuments are just standing, the way they were back then. Perhaps waiting for some technology that can reveal their past. Barber’s tomb inside Humayun’s Tomb Complex represents an unknown past with no consolidated records. All that is known about this tomb is that it belongs to Humayun’s barber.

Tombs hold a significant part in Delhi’s ancient history and culture. They can be found in almost every part of the capital city. Some of them are in good condition and while others are dying a slow death due to negligence and lack of maintenance. Yet, every tomb has a past, every tomb has a story. I have often wondered about the people resting inside, and the stories buried with them. There is no one to reveal them. There is nothing much to be done and we all have to believe what’s been said. Barber’s tomb brings the same feelings. There are several assumptions yet very little confirmation.

Barber’s Tomb stands close to Humayun’s Tomb

Barber’s tomb or Nai ka maqbara in Hindi, is the only tomb which stands in the main char bagh, close to Humayun’s tomb. Its close proximity to the emperor’s tomb signifies a lot. Probaby, he was very close to the emperor. He would have been his favorite person/barber. That’s why he was buried near the emperor. Though there are several other tombs and monuments inside the main complex, but they aren’t constructed inside the main char bagh system.

I have seen tombs of noblemen, family members, relatives, foster relatives, however I hadn’t seen a tomb dedicated to a barber. This certainly explains the influence the barber had on the emperor’s life. The date of its construction isn’t known though there are certain assumptions based on an inscription. A grave in the tomb is engraved with the number 999 which according to the Hijra calendar means 1590-91. Thus, it’s date is taken from the inscription.

Read Here – Tomb of Itimad ud Daula Agra

Barber’s tomb is located on the southeast end of Humayun’s tomb. This red sandstone dome is constructed with minarets and canopies. The tomb also has water channels which were made between 1905 and 1909. It’s not known to whom the graves belong. A general folklore is that Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of this tomb. The tomb rests on a giant podium which stands at a height of 2.44 meters and 24.3 meter square. The main building is constructed in a square plan with a double dome.

The outer dome is lifted from a drum that has 16 sides. An inverted lotus finial base crowns it; however, the lotus finial is missing now. Lotus motifs can be seen on all 16 sides of the drum which have minarets. There is a chhatri (pavilion) placed on every corner decorated with yellow, green, and blue tile inlay. The tomb houses two marble graves which are engraved with Quran verses.

Though there are several other monuments located inside the Humayun’s tomb complex, Barber’s tomb is the closest to emperor Humayun’s tomb. Some other monuments inside include Neela Gumbad, Isa Khan Tomb, Bu Halima’s Tomb & Garden, Afsarwala Tomb & Mosque, etc. Make sure you visit all of them when you visit Humayun’s tomb.

Rajat Kumar

Hi there I am a food & travel enthusiast, a music aficionado, poet, artist, and someone who loves to explore unexplored/off-beat places. I started this blog to share my food and travel journey.