Wednesday, 2 May 2018

World heritage sites in India

                 World Heritage Sites in India



The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) lists and maintains the international World Heritage Programme. A UNESCO World Heritage Site can be any place such as a forest, lake, building, island, mountain, monument, desert, complex or a city; which has a special physical or cultural significance. It was in the year 1972 that a resolution was adopted by the General Conference of the UNESCO with a 'Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage'. The main objective of this resolution was to define the cultural and natural aspects of these sites. Out of the total sites in the world, 32 are present in India. Of these, 25 sites have cultural importance while seven other are known for their natural splendour.

It was during the seventh session of the World Heritage in 1983 that the first two sites - Agra Fort and Ajanta caves - were acknowledged as the heritage sites. As of 2018, India has 36 heritage sites, the sixth most of any country.

LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA

  1. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam:
  • Kaziranga, located in the Northeastern state of Assam in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River’s south bank, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment.
  • Made as Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950, and declared a national park in 1974. The park, which covers an area of 42,996 hectares (106,250 acres), has the distinction of being home to the largest population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
       2. Manas Wild Life Sanctuary:
  • located in northeastern state of assam in the plains of the manas river in the foothills of the himalayas.
  • It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. 
  • The sanctuary is the habitat of several species of plants, 21 most-threatened species of mammals (out of 55 mammal species in the sanctuary), 36 reptile species, 3 amphibians and 350 species of birds. Endangered species include tiger, pygmy hog, clouded leopard, sloth bear, Indian rhinoceros, wild buffaloes (the only pure strain of buffalo in India), Indian elephants, golden langur and Bengal florican.

       3. Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar:


  • was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique property of cultural and archaeological importance.
  • The centuries old temple was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.

      4. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi:

  • Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi, the first tomb built with several innovations, set at the centre of luxurious gardens with water channels, was the precursor monument to the Taj Mahal (built a century later). It was built in 1570 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1993 for its cultural importance.
    5. Qutb minar and its monuments, Delhi :

  • Built in the beginning of the 13th century, the complex of structures comprises itineraries, the Alai Darwaza Gate (1311), the Alai Minar (an incomplete mound of the intended Minar or tower), the Qubbat-ul-Islam Mosque (the earliest existing mosque in India), the tomb of Iltumish, and an Iron Pillar.
  • The red sandstone tower built in the 13th century was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1993.

      6. Red Fort:

  • Mughal Emperor Shahjahan built Red Fort and its complex as a part of his new capital, Shahjahanabad in the 17th century. It gained recognition in 2007 as a part of the list of World Heritage Site.

     7.Churches and Convents of Goa: 

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  •  The churches and convents of Goa are known for their splendid architecture and sculptures. In 1986, these churches were distinguished as heritage sites.
  •  Built by the portugese colonial rulers of goa between 16th and 18th century. 

      8. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat: 

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  • This cultural site was inscribed in 2004 as the World Heritage Site. It is known for its cultural significance.

     9.Group of Monuments at Hampi, karnataka :

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  •  The group of temples, palaces and other monuments make Hampi an austere site. It was declared in 1986 as a World Heritage Site.

     10.Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, karnataka: 


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  • It was included in the list as a heritage site in 1987 and is known for its temples and Jain sanctuary.
  • These are a remarkable combination of temples built by the Chalukya Dynasty in the 6th to 8th century at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal, the latter city was known as the "Crown Rubies". The temples represent a remarkable fusion of the architectural features of northern (Nagara) and southern (dravida) India.
    11.Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: 


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  • The group of Buddhist monuments built between 200 and 100 BC was named as a World Heritage Site in 1989.
    12.Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh:


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  •  It is a group of "five clusters of rock shelters" and it was recognised in 2003 as a World Heritage Site.
    13.Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh: 


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  • Khajuraho Group of Monuments attributed to the Chandela dynasty which, under sovereignty of Gurjar Pratihars reached its glory.
  • These monuments with Hindu and Jain religious beliefs were declared as a heritage site in 1986.
    14. Ajanta Caves, maharashtra : 


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  • Ajanta Caves listed under UNESCO World Heritage as a cultural heritage site, are Buddhist caves that were built in two phases, the first phase was from the 2nd century BC. In the second phase, further additions were made during the 5th and 6th centuries AD of the Gupta period.
  • These 31 rock cut Buddhist cave monuments were listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1983.
    15. Ellora Caves, maharashtra : 

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  • In 1983, the Ellora Complex which is an amalgamation of the religious art of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, was declared a world heritage site.
  • These are 34 monasteries and temples sculpted contiguously into rock walls of a high basalt cliff, which are seen along a length of 2 kilometres.
    16. Elephanta Caves, maharashtra :

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  •  The caves are located in Elephanta Island and are two groups of caves - Hindu caves and Buddhist caves. It was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1987.
    17. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus): 


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  • The headquarters of the Central Railways; this railway station is a fine example of the Gothic revival architecture in India. Hence, in 2004 it was declared a World Heritage Site.
    18. Sun Temple, Konarak:
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  • Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the "Black Pagoda"), at Konark, in Odisha. Located on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal in the Mahanadi Delta, it is built in the form of the chariot of Surya (Arka), the sun god with 24 wheels, and is heavily decorated with symbolic stone carvings and led by a team of six horses.
  • It was recognised in 1984 as a Heritage Site and is a monumental representation of the sun god's chariot.
    19. Keoladeo National Park, rajasthan :  

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  • A reserve for numerous local and migratory birds, UNESCO recognised it as a heritage site in 1985.
   20. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur: 


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  •  Built during the 18th century, the collection of these architectural astronomical instruments became a part of the list of heritage sites in 2004.
  21.Great Living Chola Temples, Tamilnadu :


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  •  The temples, which date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, were inscribed in 2004 as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
  • This cultural heritage site includes three great temples namely, the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
  22. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu :


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  • These were built by the Pallava kings in the 7th and 8th centuries. These monuments have been carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast.
  • The temple town has about 40 monuments and the temples are in shapes of chariots or mandapas and were inscribed in 1984 as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   23. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh:


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  • built from the 16th century onwards till the early 18th century, starting with Emperor Akbar's reign in the 16th century to that of Aurangzeb in the early part of the 18th century, including the contributions made during the reign of Jahangir and Shahjahan of the Moghul Rule in India; the impressive structures built within the precincts of the fort are the Khas Mahal, the Shish Mahal, Muhamman Burje (an octagonal tower), Diwan-i-Khas (1637), Diwan-i-Am, white marble mosque or the Pearl Mosque (built during 1646–1653) and the Nagina Masjid (1658–1707). These monuments are remarkable for the fusion of Persian art of the Timurid and the Indian art form.
  •  Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, it became a part of the UNESCO's list in 1983.
   24. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh:  

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  • The capital of the Mughal Empire, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. In 1986, it was inscribed as a World heritage Site.
   25. Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh: 


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  • One of the Seven Wonders of the World, UNESCO included it in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1983.
   26. Mountain Railways of India:

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  • It includes three railways - Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka-Shimla Railway. They were inscribed as World Heritage Sites in 1999, 2005 and 2008 respectively. 
   27. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, uttarakhad :
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  •  Known for their natural beauty and indigenous flowers, the sites were recognised in 1988 and then got extension in 2005.
  • This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. 
   28. Sundarbans National Park, west bengal :

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  •  It has the world's largest esturaine mangrove forest and in 1987 was declared as World Heritage Site.
  • This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. It is also home to a variety of bird, reptile and invertebrate species, including the salt-water crocodile.
   29. Western Ghats: 


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  • Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains, a mountain range along the western side of India and one of the world’s ten "Hottest biodiversity hotspots" (sub cluster nomination). A total of thirty nine properties (including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests) were designated as world heritage sites – twenty in the state of Kerala, ten in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and four in Maharashtra.
  • Designated in 2012 as World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats are the nature's paradise in India.
   30. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Ranthambore), (Amber Sub-Cluster),                     (Jaisalmer), (Gagron):


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  •  The majestic forts of Rajasthan got recognition as World Heritage Site in 2013.
  • The property consists of Chittor Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Ranthambore Fort, Gagron Fort, Amer Fort, Jaisalmer Fort. These fort complex includes palaces, Hindu and Jain temples, urban centers and trading centers.
   31. Rani ki Vav, Gujarat:


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  •  It is a stepwell and a distinctive form of water storage system. In 2014, it was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
   32. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh:  
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  • The high alpine peaks, riverine forests and alpine meadows are a part of this national park. In 2014, it was included in the list of UNESCO'S World Heritage Site.
   33. Nalanda, bihar :


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  • The Nalanda Mahavihara site is in the State of Bihar, in north-eastern India. It comprises the archaeological remains of a monastic and scholastic institution dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE. It includes stupas, shrines, viharas (residential and educational buildings) and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
  • added to the list of world heritage site in 2016.
   34. khangchendzonga national park, sikkim :


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  • Located at the heart of the Himalayan range in northern India (State of Sikkim), the Khangchendzonga National Park includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world’s third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
  • In 2016, it was included in the list of UNESCO'S World Heritage Site.
   35. The Architectural work of Le corbusier, chandigarh :


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  • Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries. Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh, is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki and Albert Mayer.
  • In 2016, it was included in the list of UNESCO'S World Heritage Site.
   36. Historic city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat :


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  • The walled city of Ahmadabad, founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city. 
  • In 2017, it was included in the list of UNESCO'S World Heritage Site.

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