While most visitors hurry towards the magnificent Humayun`s Tomb, hidden behind an unassuming arch within the same complex lies one of Delhi`s underrated gems — the Tomb of Isa Khan Niyazi. This monument, built two decades earlier than the main mausoleum of the complex, offers travellers a chance to witness the architecture of a transitional period.
History of Isa Khan`s Tomb
The tomb was erected in 1547–1548, during the reign of the Suri dynasty, when the Afghan commander Sher Shah Suri temporarily overthrew the Mughal emperor Humayun. The commissioner of the mausoleum was Isa Khan Niyazi — an influential Pashtun nobleman at the court of Sher Shah and his son Islam Shah. Remarkably, Isa Khan built this tomb during his lifetime as a family mausoleum, as evidenced by several nameless burials inside — possibly his relatives rest here.
It is believed that the choice of location for Isa Khan`s Tomb was not accidental: it was dictated by its proximity to the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. In those times, it was believed that the land where a great Sufi rests becomes holy, and burial near it increases the chances of finding eternal peace.
Architecture of Isa Khan`s Tomb
Isa Khan`s Tomb is a unique architectural monument that incorporates features of different eras. It is an octagonal mausoleum, built mainly of red sandstone and Delhi quartzite — a hard local stone that is difficult to carve, which determined the massive, "stocky" appearance of the structure.
One of the most notable features of the tomb is its walls, which appear to lean outward — this is the famous "tapering" style inherited from the architecture of the Tughlaq dynasty. It creates the impression that the monument grows straight out of the ground. This is one of the last monuments in Delhi built in this "Pathan" style — later it was replaced by the refined Mughal architecture.
The walls of Isa Khan`s Tomb are surrounded by a deep veranda with elegant arched openings, supported by columns. Above the veranda rises the main octagonal drum, crowned by a large dome with a lotus finial, while small chhatris — domed pavilions on pillars, characteristic of Indian architecture — are located at the corners.
Details Worth Noticing
Special attention deserves the exterior decoration of Isa Khan`s Tomb in Delhi. Despite the massiveness of the structure, the building is adorned with exquisite details:
• Turquoise tiles. The dome and arches are decorated with inserts of glazed turquoise tilework — this is one of the last monuments in Delhi where this technique was used. Soon it was replaced by marble and sandstone inlays of the Mughal period.
• Stone screens. The windows of the tomb are covered with intricately carved stone screens (jalis), which create an incredible play of light and shadow inside the chamber.
• Stucco and plaster carving. Since quartzite could not be finely carved, the craftsmen used the technique of incised plasterwork made of lime and crushed brick, creating intricate floral patterns and medallions on the vaults and arches.
• Corbel arches. Pay attention to the arches above the entrance — they are built in the "corbelled" technique, where stones are laid in horizontal rows, gradually overhanging one over another. This is a legacy of pre-Islamic Indian architecture, where builders had not yet trusted the "true" arch, which appeared later.
The Garden That Preceded the Taj Mahal
Isa Khan`s Tomb in Delhi is surrounded by an octagonal wall that hides it from prying eyes, creating a sense of a secluded sanctuary. During restoration work, the oldest "charbagh" garden in India was discovered here. This "sunken garden" became the prototype for those famous Persian gardens that were later created at the Taj Mahal in Agra and at Akbar`s tomb in Sikandra.
Isa Khan`s Mosque
To the west of Isa Khan`s Tomb, extending beyond the garden wall, stands a small three-bay mosque built at the same time. Its central arch, framed in red sandstone, is decorated with turquoise and green tiles and is a splendid example of transitional architecture. Inside, three mihrabs survive, and in the central one there is an inscription dating the building to 1547.
Practical Information for Travellers
• Location. The tomb is situated within the Humayun`s Tomb complex, in the Nizamuddin East area, New Delhi. It is the first historical structure that greets visitors at the entrance to the complex.
• How to get there. The nearest metro stations are Jangpura on the Violet Line or Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
• Opening hours. Daily, from sunrise to sunset.
• Entry fee. Entry is free for those who have already purchased a ticket to the Humayun`s Tomb complex. The ticket costs approximately 30 rupees for Indian citizens and 500 rupees for foreign tourists.
• Best time to visit. The best time is early morning, from 8 to 10 am, especially during the cool winter months from October to March. The soft morning light beautifully highlights the sandstone and blue tiles.
After visiting Humayun`s Tomb, be sure to walk around its western side and enter through the old fortress wall. There, Isa Khan`s Tomb awaits you — quiet, intimate and incredibly atmospheric. It does not compete with the mausoleum in grandeur, but wins in authenticity.
