Tales from the crypt unboxed

NEW DELHI: Artefacts detailing the Mughal dynasty, which have been kept stored in boxes inside the crypt of Humayun's Tomb, will soon be on public display for the first time. They will be housed in a unique museum inspired by the traditional stepwell (baoli) in front of the World Heritage Site.
The Humayun's Tomb interpretation centre will also be the first-of-its-kind site museum for any Indian monument. The centre is expected to be ready within two years.
The culture minister had recently spoken of having similar site museums at other popular monuments across the country.
Once repaired, the Humayun's Tomb finial will be the star attraction, apart from reconstructions of other architectural elements that have not been seen by the public. "The exhibits will include architectural fragments, pottery, stone pieces, terracotta pipes, hookahs and clay pots recovered during the past 10 years of conservation works by Aga Khan Trust for Culture," said an official.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is still working out which exhibits will be displayed, but sources said that objects from their collections currently in storage or displayed at other site museums will be part of the display.
Apart from the exhibits, 3D architectural models explaining the construction of Humayun's Tomb and other significant monuments in the complex, such as Chaunsath Khamba, will be shown. There will also be live demonstrations of stone carving, tile making, ornamental plasterwork in lime mortar and other skills employed at the tomb.
"ASI has asked the National Museum to provide a list of objects in their reserve collection associated with Humayun, Akbar and the early Mughals that could be displayed at the site interpretation centre. The 10,000 sq m facility will also have film shows and temporary exhibitions on themes related to the World Heritage Site," said an official.
The construction of the interpretation centre is being managed by Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) as part of urban conservation being undertaken in partnership with ASI, CPWD, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Development Authority.
Earlier this month, Union tourism and culture minister Mahesh Sharma had expressed urgency for completion of construction of the tomb's site museum so that it could be replicated at other places. He had said that such facilities could promote and encourage tourism in India and, when finished, the number of tourists at Humayun's Tomb would increase manifold.
ASI officials said that majestic mausoleum receives almost two million visitors annually. They said that "a state-of-the-art museum at the site would enhance visitor experience, allow better understanding of Mughal architecture and building craft traditions and shed light on the development of Nizamuddin area over a millennium."
The tourism ministry had pledged Rs 49 crores to AKTC for constructing the interpretation centre. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Sharma in the presence of Aga Khan in April, 2015.
Construction work at the 'sunken' museum has progressed significantly over the past six months and now the roof is being laid. "The museum is sunken to ensure that visitors do not experience any visual disturbance. The numerous stepwells or baolis that dot north India have provided the inspiration to the design. Though below ground, natural light will filter into the museum from the skylights planned within the plaza-like roof garden," said Ratish Nanda, project director, AKTC.
Experts said that with the roof being laid out, an NDMC water pipeline running right in the middle of the construction zone could become a major hindrance. "The water supply line has to be shifted urgently and ASI has written to the NDMC chairman several times to relocate it. The council hasn't responded yet," said an official.