Work will begin Tuesday on the construction of the “country’s first” sunken museum at the iconic Humayun’s Tomb site, which after its completion in 2017 will showcase the heritage of the Nizamuddin Area over the last seven centuries. Inspired from the medieval baolis (water tanks) of northern India, the underground site museum, with a built-up area of 9000 sq m, will marry modern 21st century architecture with Mughal-era craftsmanship in its design.

Read More: Work no First Sunken Museum at Humayun’s Tomb to Begin Tuesday

See also: Underground Museum at Humayun’s Tomb in Two Years

Come 2017, the city will have its first, fully underground museum at the world-famous Humayun’s Tomb complex, which will showcase art, culture and architectural history of the Nizamuddin area spanning over seven centuries. Inspired by the traditional baolis of northern India, the one-of-its-kind museum will be constructed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Programme. The foundation stone will be laid on Tuesday by Union tourism minister Dr Mahesh Sharma in the presence of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who will be in Delhi to receive the Padma Vibhushan. Officials said this would be the first of the site museums planned by the culture ministry as part of the 25 adarsh or “model” monuments programme.

Read More: Underground Museum at Humayun’s Tomb in Two Years

See also: Humayun’s Tomb Set to Get Site Museum