Underground museum to shine new light on Humayun’s Tomb

NEW DELHI: Inspired by the traditional stepwell or baoli, the upcoming 'sunken' interpretation centre-cum-museum at the 16th-century Humayun's Tomb complex will be fully underground but naturally lit through large octagonal skylights so as not to disturb visual linkages between various monuments. The foundation stone is expected to be laid later this year. Estimated construction time is two years.

Heritage connoisseurs for years have rued that although India has an unbroken history of 10,000 years and is home to 28 UNESCO world heritage sites there are no world-class interpretation centres at any of these sites. Humayun's Tomb, situated in a dense ensemble of medieval Islamic buildings, could, according to a study commissioned by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, attract over five times its current number of visitors over a 10-year period. More than a million visit this world heritage site annually.

The centre will host a permanent exhibition, auditorium, souvenir shop and cafe as well as a crafts demonstration area. Portions of the building within Sunder Nursery will include an area for temporary exhibitions, a food court and seminar rooms. Only the edge will appear over the ground, rising to 1.5-2 metres. "Following the conservation of Humayun's Tomb, co-funded by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, building a site museum is a logical extension of the urban renewal project. The enthusiasm with which the design has been received by all stakeholders has been very encouraging," AKTC project director Ratish Nanda said.

ASI requested AKTC to undertake to build the centre in July 2011. The concept design prepared for ASI by AKTC has already been approved by South Delhi Municipal Corporation and National Monument Authority. It will now be developed and presented to Delhi Urban Art Commission for approval. AKTC is hoping to raise funds through corporate grants for the building expected to cost in excess of Rs 50 crore. ASI and AKTC are planning to approach the ministry of tourism for a grant. The project also has the support of National Culture Fund.

The design is coupled with an area master plan for parking, vehicular and pedestrian circulation and visitor facilities. Since the centre will be located in the area currently used as a parking lot, an alternative space will be created at the entrance zone. Officials said separate bus drop-off points will be created here to cater to larger tourist groups and schoolchildren. "Underground linkages with Sunder Nursery have been proposed below the existing road to allow visitors access to both the tomb and the nursery through the centre," said a source. The structure is designed in a manner that visitors will be able to use it as a starting point for visits to Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery and Hazrat Nizamuddin.

At the outset, a heritage impact assessment study as well as a groundpenetrating radar survey have been carried out to ensure no underlying archaeology is damaged. Since footfall is expected to shoot up on completion of the centre, additional area for parking has been requested from the Land and Development Authority. "Significant effort has been made to ensure that the building fulfils a major need and serves as a model for other sites," said a senior ASI official.

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