Obamas visit Humayun Tomb in New Delhi(update)

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

Obama became the first American President to visit Humayun’s Tomb, the resting place of Mughal emperor Humayun, which is an artistic precursor to the 17th century monument of love Taj Mahal.

“Wonderful. Let’s take a look,” Obama said as he entered the main building.

Then, ASI Superintendent Archaeologist, Delhi, K K Mohammad, took the First Couple around the monument explaining its history.

Then, Mohammad explained to the First Couple about the history of the monument while he took them around the plush green gardens that surround a central structure.

The beautiful red-stone monument in Nizamuddin in south Delhi, built over 450 years ago, now sports a new look after a major renovation exercise thanks to the efforts of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Archaeological Survey of India.

At the entrance of the monument, Obama was received by ASI Director-General Gautam Sengupta and other officials.

Obama, dressed in white shirt with a tie and black trousers, and Michelle listened intently and were seen enquiring about the various elements of the 450-year-old structure.

Then, Obama and Michelle met 14 kids, children of workers at the monument, shook hands with them., presented them with gifts and posed for a group photograph.

The kids, aged from 4 to 10 years of age, were accompanied by their parents.

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 on such a scale.

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

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)