|
Obama
to visit Humayun's Tomb
Thursday, October 21, 2010 10:43:34 PM, IANS
|
|
New Delhi:
Barack Obama will visit the Humayun's Tomb here, becoming the
first US president to see the 16th century monument, an official
said Thursday.
"I don't think any US president has visited Humayun's Tomb in the
last 20 years. But the visit depends on security arrangements,"
Archaeological Survey of India Joint Director-General B.R. Mani
told IANS.
The ASI has not drawn up any special plans for the tomb in view of
Obama's visit, Mani said.
According to Ben Rhodes, Obama's official speech-writer and
spokesperson, "the tomb is one of the great cultural marvels in
New Delhi".
"The president felt it was important, given the rich civilization
that India has, to pay tribute to it through this stop," Rhodes
said.
Obama is arriving in Mumbai Nov 6, and will fly to Indonesia after
a four-day visit of India.
The Humayun's tomb was commissioned in 1562 AD by the emperor's
wife Hamida Banu Begum and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a
Persian architect.
It was the first garden tomb in the sub-continent with landscaped
lawns and orchards.
Built in red sandstone and marble, it is located in Nizamuddin
East. The Humayun's Tomb was declared a world heritage site by
UNESCO in 1993.
"The ASI is renovating the tomb with the Aga Khan Trust. The first
phase of the project that envisages to revive the ancient water
channels in the mausoleum complex is nearing completion," Mani
said.
"The second phase will focus on the domes and the main tomb
structure while the third phase will refurbish the complex and the
surrounding areas. Architects will revive the ancient connection
between the Nila Gumbad (a blue domed mausoleum located adjacent
to the complex) and the main tomb," Mani said.
The ASI hoped to complete work by next year, Mani said.
The renovation work is spearheaded by conservation architect
Ratish Nanda from the Aga Khan Trust.
|
|
Home |
Top of the Page |
|
 |
|
Comment on this article |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 News Pick |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick links