The day, Emperor Humayun died by falling off the roof of Sher Mandal in the Purana Qila, his fort in the 6th city of Dinpanah, founded by him earlier. He was interred there and later, according to some scholars, shifted to temporary grave in Sirhind.

Year the construction of the tomb began. The chief architect of these tombs was Mir Mirak Ghiyas of Herat, identified as a stonecutter in Emperor Babur’s memoirs. He had worked extensively in Bukhara, and his area of specialty was buildings and landscape architecture.

Time taken to complete the construction of the tomb. Mir Ghiyas died before it was finished and it was left to his son to complete the construction. Mir Ghiyas had by then established the principle of 'Charbagh' or paradiasical tombs - a plan in which the tomb is placed squarely in centre of the char bagh (quadrilateral garden layout based on the 4 gardens of Paradise) mentioned in the Quran.

Cost of construction at that time! Gulbsdan Begum mentions Bega Begum (Humayun's eldest wife) as the builder of his tomb. It is possible some of the expense was borne by Akbar. Humayun’s tomb was the first tomb built on the Persian principle of Char Bagh. Paradise as described in the Quran will have rivers of milk & honey and gardens with trees in it. There were water canals flowing all around it, with fountains flowing in the hauz at intervals. The tomb when built, was surrounded by gardens with cypress trees and flowerbeds.

Number of people that Bega Begum, also known as Haji Begum, is thought to have brought from Haramain sharif (Mecca & Medina) after her hajj pilgrimage. They were settled in the area known as Arab Sarai. They were well versed in religion. Prayers for departed are considered very important in Islam.

Height of a square terrace on which the main structure of the mausoleum is built. The mausoleum is a double-storeyed, red sandstone structure with chamfered corners and is accessible through arches on each side.

Estimated number of royal family members that are buried in the complex of cells. The grave proper, in the centre of this cell-complex is reached by a passage on the south. The octagonal central chamber contains the cenotaph, and the diagonal sides lead corner chambers which house the graves of other members of the royal family.