A Tomb Brought to Life

Ratish Nanda is a conservation architect who has worked for Historic Scotland and is the author of Delhi, the Built Heritage. He was Project Director for the revitalisation of Humayun's Tomb Gardens on behalf of the Aga Khan Trust for Cuiture. This article documents the revitalisation process in the architect's own words.

Humayun's Tomb is known as the first example of the monumental scale that would characterize subsequent Mughal imperial architecture. The objective of the project was to revitalise the gardens, pathways, fountains and water channels of the four-part paradise garden surrounding Humayun's tomb in Delhi, according to the original plans of the builders.  Site works encompassed a variety of disciplines, including archaeology, conservation science and hydraulic engineering.

The Historic Gardens Review is the voice of historic parks and gardens worldwide, and is published three times a year by the Historic Gardens Foundation. To learn more about the Historic Gardens Foundation or to order the Historic Gardens Review, please visit their website

Nanda, Ratish. 2003. A Tomb Brought to Life. In Historic Gardens Review Number 13. London: The Historic Gardens Foundation.

Ratish Nanda & The Aga Khan Trust for Culture