UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of United Nations. UNESCO was created for the conservation and protection of the worlds inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science. As of now there are 36 world Heritage sites in India. 28 cultural sites and 8 natural sites.
This article describes the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Aspirants of various Banking and other competitive exams like RRB, CDS, LIC AO, RBI, SSC, UPSC, FCI, UIIC, OICL, SBI Clerks and PO can expect 2-3 mark questions on this.
UNESCO has adopted an International Treaty Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on 16 November 1972, with an intent to identify, protect and conserve landmarks (city, complex, building, desert, monuments, ancient ruins, mountains, lakes, complexes, islands, forests) which have outstanding historical, cultural or some other form of significance. The sites listed/recognized by the UNESCO belong to everyone (universal application) irrespective of the continents/countries they belong to and come under the protection zone of UNESCO. These landmarks which have been officially recognized by the UNESCO are called as World Heritage Sites.
Below are the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:
| Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh: Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, it became a part of the UNESCO’s list in 1983.
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| Ajanta Caves: These Buddhist caves were listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1983.
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| Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: The group of Buddhist monuments built between 200 and 100 BC was named as a World Heritage Site in 1989.
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| Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat: This cultural site was inscribed in 2004 as the World Heritage Site. It is known for its cultural significance.
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| Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus): 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.
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| Churches and Convents of Goa: The churches and convents of Goa are known for their splendid architecture and sculptures. In 1986, these churches were distinguished as heritage sites.
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| Elephanta Caves: 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.
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| Ellora Caves: In 1983, the Ellora Complex which is an amalgamation of the religious art of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism, was declared a world heritage site.
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| Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh: The capital of the Mughal Empire, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. In 1986, it was inscribed as a World heritage Site.
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| Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh: 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.
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| Great Living Chola Temples: The temples, which date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, were inscribed in 2004 as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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| Group of Monuments at Hampi: The group of temples, palaces and other monuments make Hampi an austere site. It was declared in 1986 as a World Heritage Site.
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| Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram: 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.
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| Group of Monuments at Pattadakal: It was included in the list as a heritage site in 1987 and is known for its temples and Jain sanctuary.
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| Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Ranthambore), (Amber Sub-Cluster), (Jaisalmer), (Gagron): The majestic forts of Rajasthan recently got recognition as World Heritage Site.
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| Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi: The tomb, which gained recognition in 1993, holds great cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb in the subcontinent. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi: The red sandstone tower built in the 13th century was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1993.
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| Jantar Mantar, Jaipur: Built during the 18th century, the collection of these architectural astronomical instruments became a part of the list of heritage sites in 2004. |
| Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam: It was established in the year 1908 and was declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
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| Keoladeo National Park: A reserve for numerous local and migratory birds, UNESCO recognised it as a heritage site in 1985.
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| Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh: These monuments with Hindu and Jain religious beliefs were declared as a heritage site in 1986.
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| Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar: The centuries old temple was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.
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| Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam: This Assam-based sanctuary was recognised for its rich biodiversity in 1985.
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| Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks: Known for their natural beauty and indigenous flowers, the sites were recognised in 1988 and then got extension in 2005.
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| Rani ki Vav, Gujarat: 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.
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| 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.
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| Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh: It is a group of “five clusters of rock shelters” and it was recognised in 2003 as a World Heritage Site.
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| Sun Temple, Konarak: It was recognised in 1984 as a Heritage Site and is a monumental representation of the sun god’s chariot.
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| Sundarbans National Park: It has the world’s largest mangrove forest and in 1987 was declared as World Heritage Site.
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| Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh: One of the Seven Wonders of the World, UNESCO included it in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1983.Mountain Railways of India: 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.
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| The World Heritage Sites in India are recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as on 29, as of 2012.
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| Western Ghats: Designated in 2012 as World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats are the nature’s paradise in India.
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Humayuns Tomb |
Delhi |
Built in 1570 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument in 1993 for its cultural importance. |
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Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary |
Assam |
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) is in flood plains of the Brahmaputra Rivers south bank, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. It was established as a reserved forest in 1908 to protect species of rhinoceros. It was named as Kaziranga Game Sanctuary in 1916, Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950, and declared a national park in 1974. |
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Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya |
Bihar |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2002 |
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Manas Wildlife Sanctuary |
Assam |
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is in Assam and covers area of 50,000 hectares. It is on Border with Bhutan and is contiguous with Manas Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 for its unique natural environment. |
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Qutb Minar and its Monuments |
Delhi |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1993 |
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Red Fort Complex |
Delhi |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2007 |
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Ajanta Caves |
Maharashtra |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1983 |
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Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi |
Madhya Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1989 |
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Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park |
Gujarat |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2004 |
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Churches and Convents of Goa |
Goa |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1986 |
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Group of Monuments at Hampi |
Karnataka |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1986 |
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Group of Monuments at Pattadakal |
Karnataka |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1987 |
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Khajuraho Group of Monuments |
Madhya Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1986 |
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Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka |
Madhya Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2003 |
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) |
Maharashtra |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2004 |
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Elephanta Caves |
Maharashtra |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1987 |
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Ellora Caves |
Maharashtra |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1983 |
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Great Living Chola Temples |
Tamilnadu |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1987 |
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Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram |
Tamilnadu |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1984 |
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Jantar Mantar, Jaipur |
Rajasthan |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2010 |
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Keoladeo National Park |
Rajasthan |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1985 |
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Sun Temple, Konarak |
Odisha |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1984 |
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Agra Fort |
Uttar Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1983 |
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Fatehpur Sikri |
Uttar Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1986 |
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Taj Mahal |
Uttar Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1983 |
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Mountain Railways of India |
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (West Bengal) |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1999 |
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Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Ooty, Tamil Nadu) |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2005 |
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Kalka-Shimla Railway (Himachal Pradesh) |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2008 |
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Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks |
Uttarakhand |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1988 and Extension in 2005 |
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Sundarbans National Park |
West Bengal |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 1987 |
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Western Ghats |
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Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2012. Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains) are a mountain range along western side of India and one of the worlds ten “Hottest biodiversity hotspots”. Total 29 properties (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests) were designated as world heritage sites – 20 in Kerala, 10 in Karnataka, 5 in Tamil Nadu and 4 in Maharashtra. |
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Hill Forts of Rajasthan (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Amber Sub-Cluster, Jaisalmer, Gagron) |
Rajasthan |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2013 |
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Rani ki vav (The Queen’s Stepwell) |
Gujarat |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2014 |
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Great Himalayan National Park |
Himachal Pradesh |
Added in UNESCO World Heritage Sites List in 2014 |
- Three new sites added in 2016 : Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) in Bihar , The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh and Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim.
- In 2017, the Walled City of Ahmedabad, founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in the 15th century, has been declared India’s first World Heritage City.
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