Humayun's Tomb

Went to Humayun's Tomb today. I'm still unsure who Humayun was, but his tomb is a pretty site which served as the architectural model for the Taj Mahal. Its also the only place I've seen here so far where the fountains are filled with water and...fountaining.

Highly recommended.



Update: An alert reader found this background on Humayun:

Humayun

* Son of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur and father of Akbar.
* Shir Shah Sur ruled Northern India from 1540 to 1555. He toppled Humayun and held out for 15 years until Humayun took back his Empire. In 1555 Humayun recovered the throne of Delhi from Sher Khan Lodi.

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A small note on Kabul Politics in the mid sixteenth century

Humayun took Hindustan as his kingdom and set his brothers as kings of other lands. In 1540 Sher Khan drove Humayan from Hindustan. Sher Khan then took he name Sher Shah. Humayan sought aid from his brothers but they were not willing to lend full aid and comfort.

By 1544 Humayan crossed over into Safavi Persia. Humayan was able to gain the backing of Tahmasp Safavi Shahinshah of Persia after converting to Shia Islam. In 1545 Humayan entered the Mughal empire with an army. This started a 8 year war that finally resulted in Humayan entering Kabul as undisputed leader in 1553. At this point Humayan had his brother Kamran blinded and the court of Kamran was gone forever. Humayan ruled until his death in 1556.

Sounds like a nice guy.