Obamas visit Humayun Tomb

NEW DELHI - The United States President, Barack Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle Obama is visiting the world heritage site Humayun Tomb, after attending a reception hosted at the U.S. Embassy on arriving in the national capital today afternoon.

Humayun Tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, commissioned by his wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 CE. It was designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian architect.

Located in Nizamuddin East of Delhi, it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It is close to the Dina-panah citadel also known as Purana Qila, that Humayun was founded in 1533.

It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale.

The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and since then has undergone extensive restoration work.

Obama’s today’s programme schedule include holding interaction with the children of conservation workers who are being taught in makeshift schools run at the Archeological survey of India site.

In the evening, President Obama and the First Lady will attend a private dinner being hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Singh at his residence 7, Race Course Road. (ANI)