Obama visits Humayun’s tomb, finds it spectacular

NEW DELHI - US President Barack Obama Sunday visited the 16th century Humayun’s tomb in the Indian capital and called it “spectacular”. He was accompanied by his wife and US First Lady Michelle Obama.

The US first couple arrived at the famed monument around 5 p.m., straight from engagements at the American embassy. The complex, swarming with plainclothes security men and officials, was turned into a virtual fortress and kept out of bounds for the general public.

The couple was taken on a guided tour around the complex by an official. The duo looked relaxed as they took a stroll around, listening to the details with eagerness.

“It took seven years to build this (monument). If you try to build something like this in seven years in the US, it will be tough,” the president told the awaiting media at the end of the tour, clearly charmed by the monument’s beauty.

The Humayun’s tomb is a world heritage site, and is said to the structure on which the Taj Mahal in Agra was modelled. The first garden tomb in the subcontinent was built in the 16th century in the memory of the second Mughal emperor by his wife.

The president also had a word of praise for Delhi, calling it a “modern place” but “rooted” in civilisation of so many years.

The first couple also interacted with the children of those involved in the renovation of the complex and distributed gifts among them.