We all know there are lots of world heritage sites around the globe. But ever wondered What does a World Heritage Site means? Most of the World Heritage sites are undoubtedly tourist attractions. However, these are not just any other tourist destination. These sites are of not only historical and but also cultural or sometimes natural importance. A Study on World Heritage Sites in India.
Thus, making them a world Heritage Site UNESCO is trying to protect them. According to UNESCO, the definition of a World Heritage Site is as follows. World Heritage is the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
As of July 2021, altogether 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 naturals, and 39 mixed properties) exist across 167 countries among which 40 are present in India.
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WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA
World Heritage Sites are present in 19 of the 36 States and union territories of India altogether. As mentioned above, at present, there are 40 such sites in India, out of these, 32 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1 is mixed (meeting both cultural and natural criteria). India has the sixth-largest number of sites in the world while in India, Maharashtra has the most no of World Heritage Sites.
India accepted the convention on 14 November 1977, thus making its sites eligible for inclusion on the list. However, the first sites to be listed were Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal, of which all were inscribed in 1983. Moreover, the latest site to be listed is Dholavira, Gujarat, in 2021. Given below is a complete list of all the World Heritage Sites in India to date.
LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA
The list is categorized altogether into 3 different categories based on the UNESCO criteria. So, let us see all the listings in each category.
Cultural Heritage Sites
- Agra Fort (1983)
- Ajanta Caves (1983)
- Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
- Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
- Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)
- Elephanta Caves (1987)
- Ellora Caves (1983)
- Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
- Great Living Chola Temples (1987,2004)
- Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
- Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
- Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
- Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
- Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
- Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
- Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
- Mountain Railways of India (1999,2005,2008)
- Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
- Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
- Red Fort Complex (2007)
- Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
- Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
- Taj Mahal, Agra (1983)
- The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
- The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
- Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
Natural Heritage Sites
- Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
- Kaziranga National Park (1985)
- Keoladeo National Park (1985)
- Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988,2005)
- Sundarbans National Park (1987)
- Western Ghats (2012)
Mixed (Cultural as well as Natural Heritage Site)
- Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)
Future Listings For India
Apart from the 40 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, there also exists a list of tentative sites for recognition. The list has also been submitted to the UNESCO Committee for evaluation and acceptance.
Because the procedure of pre-listing is a prerequisite for the nominations for the World Heritage List to be accepted. Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, and Nepal also have expressed their support in inscribing more sites from India. We hope this will help to list more Sites in India. It will undoubtedly help us preserve and promote our history and culture.
