GRIP

•UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

What is a World Heritage site?

The World Heritage Sites are listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their special cultural or physical significance.
The list of sites is maintained by the international 'World Heritage Programme', which is administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The objective of UNESCO behind the identification of World Heritage sites is to encourage the protection, identification and preservation of cultural & natural heritage, which is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
The list is maintained under an international treaty known as Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

•World Heritage Sites in India

India has 38 world heritage sites that comprises 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.

•Significance of Heritage Sites

The heritage sites are significant in regeneration, housing, education, economic growth and community engagement etc of a country and also make a very positive contribution to community life.
The historic perspective is a proven source of benefit to local economies, particularly through tourism.
These sites assist the government and local authorities in attracting external investment as well as maintaining existing businesses of all types, not just tourism-related.
The adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is significant in the creation of sustainable communities.
These heritage sites are an excellent local educational resource for people of all ages.
Indeed learning about the history of a place is a good way of bringing communities together through a shared understanding of the unique cultural identity heritage places give to an area.
When heritage sites get recognised at international level, it is hoped that the like- minded people will come forward to preserve them.

Some Prominent World Heritage Sites in India

•Agra Fort

In 1565 AD, the Agra Fort was built Mughal emperor Akbar, it is a majestic sandstone building which mentions the magnificence of the Mughal empire.
It is simple, elegant and home to a large stone bowl upon which are carved Persian verses.

•Ahmedabad

This Gujarat’s city was Declared as India's first UNESCO World Heritage City for its magnificent history and tradition.
This city is divided into two parts, cut into distinct sections by the Sabarmati river.

•Ajanta Caves

This site is located about 107 km from Aurangabad and home of a famous cluster of 32 Buddhist caves.
The rock-hewn caves at Ajanta are either chaityas (shrine), chapels or prayer halls, or viharas (monasteries) or residential cells.

•Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

This monument is of significant historical importance and houses one of the finest railway stations in the world, situated in Mumbai (Maharashtra).
This railway terminus was named British Queen Victoria, on Golden Jubilee Day (1887) to mark fifty years of her reign.

•Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

This site comprises 500 or so paintings that have a resemblance to the ones found in Australia’s Kakadu National Park, cave paintings of Kalahari Desert’s Bushmen tribe and France’s Upper Palaeolithic Lascaux etc.

•Bodh Gaya

According to Buddhist tradition, Prince Siddhartha (later became Lord Buddha) who had meditated till the attainment of enlightenment has found a quiet retreat under the most hallowed spot here, the Bodhi tree.

•Elephanta Caves

This site was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in the early 1980s.
The walls of the caves are lined with rock art which was built around the mid- 5th and 6th century.
There are two main hills namely, Gun Hill and Stupa Hill on the island.

•Fatehpur Sikri

It was built by mughal emperor Akbar somewhere between 1572 and 1585 AD.
The red sandstone was used in the construction.

•The Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the most protected areas in the Himalayas.
At this place, around 350 species of flora and 800 species of fauna are found and some of which are endangered.

•Thanjavur

Also known as Tanjore, this city is famous for its gorgeous monuments, a legacy of the Cholas.

•Humayun’s Tomb

This tomb was built by Mughal emperor Humayun's first wife Haji Begum and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.
The garden is further divided into four main sections by walkways and water channels.
The design of tomb get synonymous with the Paradise Garden mentioned in the holy book of Islam, the Quran.

•Jantar Mantar

It is situated in Jaipur (Rajasthan), and is considered to be one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world.
Jantar Mantar houses the world's largest stone sundial.

•Kaziranga National Park

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park, is famed as a home to two-thirds of the world's population of the rare one-horned rhinoceros.

•Keoladeo National Park

This national park was recognised as one of the most important breeding and feeding ground for birds.
This site was incorporated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
It was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

•Mountain Railways of India

It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also betterly known as the toy train.
It was started in 1881, so that transportation of rice and other commodities became easier and more cost-efficient.

•Qutub Minar

It is as old as the history of the Delhi Sultanate.
It is the world's tallest brick minaret, which dominates the skyline of the city.
It is around 73 foot tall, this five-storeyed tower, remains one of the most magnificent buildings of India from the medieval era.

•Rani Ki Vav

It is situated in the state of Gujarat.
Rani Ki Vav is situated on the banks of Saraswati river.
It was built by Rani Udayamati in the memory of her husband, king Bhima I, of the Chalukya or Solanki dynasty (950-1300 CE).

•Sanchi

Sanchi has been bestowed a rich legacy of Buddhist monuments - from the Sanchi Stupa to the Ashoka Pillar.

•Red Fort

It is situated in Delhi, which is made up of fine red sandstone, and represents the architectural legacy of the Mughals.
It is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world, and also known as qila-e-mubarak, is replete with palaces, pavilions and mosques.

•Khangchendzonga National Park

It was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, situated in the state of Sikkim.
It is famous for its spectacular wildlife like snow leopard, red panda, great Tibetan sheep, musk deer etc.

Source: Gradeup

Timeline of Historical Pandemics.