Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun Humayun is a misnomer. Humayun means fortunate. History is unkind to the failures and the comparative ease with which he was removed from shows that he was unfit to rule India. He showed the qualities of an able general during his father’s life time but proved a complete failure when he became his own master. He lacked political wisdom and sagacity so essential in the medieval times. He lacked the sustained efforts and was an opium addict. He showed kindness towards his undeserving brothers. His campaign against Mehndi Khan, the governor of Jaunpur was successful in 1531 but he exhibited the lack of political wisdom by not annexing it. In 1533, Rani Karanwati, queen of Mewar and the widow of Rana Sanga sought his help when the Bahadur Shah (the ruler of Gujarat and Malwa) invaded Mewar but Humayun refused to provide her military assistance. He pardoned Sher Shah in 1532 and restored him the fort of Chunar. This proved to be the greatest blunder of his life. Stanley Lane-Poole has written: “He was one of those who never missed a chance to falter. He obliged when he found the ground slippery and finally tumbled and tumbled out of life.” Early Life and Family Humayun was born in 1508 at Kabul. died on 26 December 1530 and for the next four days; Humayun faced rebellion and conspiracy from Mehndi Khwaja which eventfully failed. His royal coronation took place on 30 December in 1530. Humayun was assisted in the beginning of his career by his three brothers: 1. Kamran (He was made the governor of Kabul and Kandhar). 2. Askri (He was the governor of Sambhar in U.P.). 3. Hindal (Hindal was made the governor of Mewat). Early Annexations Humayun started his career with lofty invasions. He annexed in 1530. He lifted the siege when Mahmud Khan Lodhi, the governor of Jaunpur sought forgiveness. In 1532, Humayun laid the siege of where Sher Khan was conspiring against Humayun. Sher Khan requested for pardon that was granted. This was Humayun’s first political blunder. Sher Khan never pardoned him when he got the opportunity.

Humayun began to spend a year in wasteful expenditure and ceremonies and merry-making.

In 1533, he began the construction of his fort-cum-palace Din-i-Panahi which was later taken over by Sher Shah Sur.

In 1533, Bahadur Shah, the ruler of Gujarat and Malwa invaded Mewar and Rani Karanwati sought Humayun’s assistance. It is believed that she sent a rakhi to Humayun. Humayun refused to help her as he did not want to earn the wrath of Allah by assisting a infidel against his Muslim brother.

It was another blunder committed by him because later Sher Shah proved troublesome for Humayun.

In 1535, Humayun led military expedition against Bahadur Shah and annexed Malwa and Gujarat. He entrusted these regions to Askri.

In 1536, Bahadur Shah re-annexed Malwa and Gujarat. In one year, Humayun captured and lost both of these territories.

From August 1536 to July 1537, he was busy in merry-making when he should have been on the horseback. Humayun and Sher Shah:

The most serious threat for Humayun emerged from the eastern horizon in 1537 in the guise of Sher Khan. Humayun sent a military expedition against him but contrary to the advice of his general Yusuf Khel, he besieged the fort of Chunar instead of Gaud.

Had he acted on Yusuf Khel’s advice, he would have got large treasures accumulated at the fort of Gauda.

In March 1538, Chunar was annexed and Humayun moved towards Bengal. Sher Khan diplomatically and strategically allowed him to penetrate deep into Bengal to cut off all the lines of supply and communication.

At this crucial moment, the Mughal nobility at Agra declared Hindal the Mughal emperor. When Humayun received this news he wanted to return but found all the routes to Agra and Delhi blocked by the Afghans.

Battles of Chausa and Kanauj:

From March to June 1539, the armies of Sher Khan and Humayun faced each other at Chausa near . In June 1539, Humayun in utmost caution started military campaign. He was decisively defeated and was about to get drowned in river Ganges. But he was saved by Nizam, the water carrier. To show his gratitude, Humayun made him the Mughal emperor for a day and a leather coin was issued in his honour.

Humayun received no assistance from his brothers. He hastily collected another army of around 90,000 men and faced Sher Shah again on 15 March 1540 on the bank of river Ganges near Kanauj. Humayun’s army had encamped at a lower place and when it rained heavily, his camp was flooded. This was the greatest military blunder of his life.

When the Mughal forces were moving their equipment at a safer place, Sher Shan struck with a surprise attack. The Mughal army was defeated without firing single shot. Humayun was forced to flee from India. On his way to Persia, Akbar was born to Hamida Bano Begum near Amarkot in Sind in 1542.

Humayun was joined by Bairam Khan who prevailed upon the Persian Emperor Shah Jah Nusrat who provided an army of 40,000 soldiers on two promises:  He would become a Shia.  He would hand over Kandhar after capturing it. Humayun did not keep both of his promises. In 1545, Humayun captured Kabul and Kandhar. Hindal died fighting for Humayun. Askri and Kamran was blinded and sent to Hajj. Thus, he got rid of his ungrateful and ingratitude brothers. In July 1555, Bairam Khan led campaign against Sikander Sur, the governor of Punjab. Sikander Sur was defeated and killed in the battle of Sirhind. Bairam Khan re-annexed Delhi and Agra for Humayun. In 1556, one day when he was studying in his library Sher Mandal, he heard Azan (Quranic prayers). He fell off the stairs and died after three days. Who wrote Humayun Nama (The Story of Humayun?) The life and career of Humayun is depicted in Humayun Nama written by his sister Gulbadan Begum. Humayun Nama is a factual account of what Gulbadan Begum remembered at the time of its composition. It tells us about Humayun life story, his struggle, challenges and the life of Mughal women in Harem. It is the only surviving text composed by a woman of Mughal royal family. It is believed that Akbar requested her to write whatever she remembered about her brother. Thus, Humayun Nama was composed. Humayun’s Contribution to Art and Culture: Humayun was the founder father of the Mughal School of painting. He brought two master-painters from Persia:  Abdus Samad  Syed Ali Both of them trained a large number of painters who formed the nucleus of the Mughal School of paintings. Humayun was also a great builder. He built: 1. Din-i-Panahi: It was a fort-cum-Palace. It was built by Humayun. 2. Humayun’s Tomb Humayun tomb has a double dome. The exterior is completely different from interior. This reflects a transition in the Mughal School of architecture as Indian and Persian styles began to blend and the dominant Persian style began to decline. Popular among the masses as Humayun ka Maqbara, it commenced a great cultural synthesis which was to culminate in years to come. Humayun’s tomb was constructed by his consort and first wife Bega Begum. Humayun’s tomb Delhi was the first garden structured tomb in the history of Indian architecture. Humayun grave also encompasses the tombs of Bega Begum, Hamida Bano Begum and Dara Shikoh. The best of Humayun’s character came out during his days of wandering. Besides, he was a great human being. He showed no ill-will against his brother and was virtually forced by his officers and ministers to take the action of blinding Kamran and Askri after their rebellions. Humayun UPSC is often quoted and asked about in books, articles and examinations. Important Information for the Tourists:  Where is Humayun’s tomb in Delhi Located?

Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is situated in East Nizamuddin region.

 What are the Humayun tomb timings? Humayun’s tomb Delhi remains opened for the tourists from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It remains opened for the tourists throughout the week. Humayun tomb visiting hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  Who built Humayun’s tomb? The tomb was built by Humayun’s consort and the first wife Bega Begum. The design was prepared by Mirza Ghiyas and Sayyid Muhammad.  Where is Humayun’s tomb? Humayun’s tomb is located in Nizamuddin East. The closest Metro Station near the tomb is Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the Purple Line. The monument is on walking distance from this spot. You can also hire a cab or an auto to reach there. You can also take bus number 447 or Bus number 966 B to reach the monument. Nizamuddin East Police Station and Bus Stop is about 900 meters away from Humayun’s tomb. The distance from Nizamuddin to Humayun tomb is around 2.5 KMS or 1.3 miles. The nearest railway station is Nizamuddin Railway Station and the nearest bus stand is Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stand.  Hotels Near Humayun Tomb Delhi The most economical yet popular hotels near Humayun tomb Delhi are GG Bed and Breakfast, Delhi Inn, Yesh Guest House, OYO 707 A-17, JRD Pride, Eleven, B Nineteen, The Oberoi New Delhi, Amidst Monuments and Serenity and the Lodhi-A Member of the Leading Hotels of the World.  Ticket for Humayun Tomb The ticket for Humayun tomb is 35 Indian Rupees for an Indian visitor, SAARC nations and visitors from BIMSTEC, 550 Indian Rupees for a foreign visitor. The entry to Humayun tomb Delhi is free for children under the age of 15.