Dome forever

On the topmost aspects of the capital's top monument

- Mayank Austen Soofi

“Dome of Delhi’s Huma-yun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin area collapses; many feared trapped.” “Dome in Delhi's Humayun Tomb collapses, 10 feared trapped.”

Such were the breaking news headlines swamping news websites some weeks ago. What happened was somewhat different. Per Ratish Nanda of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which helped restore the Mughal-era monument, a new edifice that was built recently in a Sufi shrine abutting the Humayun Tomb complex had collapsed during heavy showers, sadly resulting in deaths. Parts of the debris had fallen on the side of the much larger monument compound, which probably caused the confusion. Although the spot is 200 metres away from the principal tomb and its dome.

Whatever, just the words “Dome in Delhi's Humayun Tomb collapses” sends a shiver down the spine.