Art and Culture | Chapter - UNESCO Heritage Sites
1. UNESCO and World Heritage Committee
UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Context: India hosted the 46th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, marking the first time the country hosted this prestigious meeting.
About The World Heritage Committee:
- Established: It was established under the World Heritage Convention (Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage) adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 17th session on 16 November, 1972.
- Members: 21 States Parties including India.
- Member's Term: 6 years.
- Responsibility:
- Defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance.
- Prepares World Heritage Sites list.
- Monitoring conservation efforts.
About UNESCO:
- UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
- It is a United Nations Specialized Agency founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
- Aim: To contribute to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information.
- Members: 194 member states including India and 12 associate members. Membership of the United Nations carries with it the right to membership of UNESCO. 3 countries, namely, Palestine, Niue, and the Cook Islands are members of UNESCO, but not of the UN.
- Headquarters: Paris, France.
- India and UNESCO: India has 43 sites in the World Heritage site list with the most recent additions being Shantiniketan and Sacred ensembles of Hoysalas in 2023 and Moidams (the mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty) in Assam in 2024.
ABOUT HOYSALAS
The Hoysalas held power in Karnataka from the 10th - 14th century.
About Hoysalas:
- The Hoysalas held power in Karnataka from the 10th - 14th century.
- The dynasty began as provincial governors under the Western Chalukyas, but as the two dominant empires of the South, the Western Chalukyas and the Cholas, crumbled, the Hoysalas established themselves as rulers.
About Hoysala Architecture:
- The Hoysala temples in Hassan, Karnataka, are architectural masterpieces built in the 12th-13th centuries.
- The temples have a basic Dravidian form but show strong influences of the Bhumija, Nagara, and Karnataka Dravida styles.
- The Hoysala temples are known for their intricate carvings and sculptures, geometric pillars, and star shaped ceilings built using soapstone.
- The Hoysala temples in Hassan, Karnataka, are architectural masterpieces built in the 12th-13th centuries.
- The temples have a basic Dravidian form but show strong influences of the Bhumija, Nagara, and Karnataka Dravida styles.
- The Hoysala temples are known for their intricate carvings and sculptures, geometric pillars, and star shaped ceilings built using soapstone.
HOYSALESWARA TEMPLE
Located on the banks of Dwarasamudra tank, Halebid, this Shiva temple was built in the 12th century.
About Hoysaleswara Temple (Karnataka):
- Located on the banks of Dwarasamudra tank, Halebid, this Shiva temple was built in the 12th century by Ketamalla during the reign of King Vishnuvardhan.
- The temple is situated on a lawn with a star-shaped base and consists of twin shrines.
- The outer walls feature imagery from Indian epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha, and Bhagavad Gita, along with highly ornate temple doorways.
CHENNAKESHAVA TEMPLE
The main temple, constructed by King Vishnuvardhan in the 12th Century to commemorate his victory over the Cholas, is located at Belur, Hassan.
About Chennakeshava Temple or Vijaya Narayana Temple (Karnataka):
- The main temple, constructed by King Vishnuvardhan in the 12th Century to commemorate his victory over the Cholas, is located at Belur, Hassan.
- There are more than 80 Madanika sculptures in the temple, dancing, hunting, and standing under canopies of trees.
- The Garbhagriha, with its stellar shape and zigzag walls, showcases 24 forms of Lord Vishnu, appearing distinct at different times of the day due to changing light.
KESHAVA TEMPLE
The temple built by Somanatha (a general of Hoysalas) in 1268 AD during the reign of Hoysala King Narashima III is located in Somanathapura village, Mysore.
About Keshava Temple (Karnataka):
- The temple built by Somanatha (a general of Hoysalas) in 1268 AD during the reign of Hoysala King Narashima III is located in Somanathapura village, Mysore.
- It has 3 sanctums on the West, South, and North dedicated to Keshava, Venugopala, and Janardhana.
- The temple itself occupies the middle of the rectangular courtyard surrounded by 64 cells, each with pillars in front, forming an appropriate cloistered setting.
SANTINIKETAN
Context: Santiniketan has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage List.
About Santiniketan:
- Santiniketan, 'Abode of Peace' in Bengali, located in Birbhum district of West Bengal, was originally a Brahmacharya ashram built by Debendranath Tagore and later transformed into a university town by Rabindranath Tagore.
- A 'World University' was established at Santiniketan in 1921, recognising the unity of humanity or "Visva Bharati".
- Santiniketan includes the entire Visva-Bharati University Campus, the core ashram area, and the Uttarayan complex.
About Rabindranath Tagore:
- He was a visionary from Bengal, proficient in various fields such as poetry, writing, playwriting, etc.
- His major works include Gitanjali, Chokher Bali, Maanbhajan, Aparichita, etc.
- He was a visionary from Bengal, proficient in various fields such as poetry, writing, playwriting, etc.
- His major works include Gitanjali, Chokher Bali, Maanbhajan, Aparichita, etc.
Knowledge Nugget
ICOMOS: The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a France-based NGO that provides the World Heritage Committee with evaluations of properties with cultural values that are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List. It also conducts comparative studies, provides technical assistance, and reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties.
ICOMOS: The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is a France-based NGO that provides the World Heritage Committee with evaluations of properties with cultural values that are proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List. It also conducts comparative studies, provides technical assistance, and reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties.
2. UNESCO Memory of the World and Tentative List
UNESCO'S MEMORY OF THE WORLD ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL REGISTER
Context: Recently, the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana were included in UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.
Indian Works Included:
| Indian Work | Description |
|---|---|
| Ramcharitmanas | It was written in the 16th century in the Awadhi dialect by Goswami Tulsidas. It is based on the Ramayana, sage Valmiki's great epic. |
| Panchatantra | It was originally written in Sanskrit by Pt. Vishnu Sharma. The Panchatantra stories teach the Niti – the sensible way of living. |
| Sahrdayaloka Locana | It is a Sanskrit treatise authored by Acharya Anandvardhan. |
About the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP):
- Establishment: The MOWCAP was set up in 1998. It is the regional forum for UNESCO's global Memory of the World (MOW) Programme.
- Deals With: The Programme includes the inscription of significant documentary heritage on national, regional and international registers.
INDIAN SITES ON UNESCO'S TENTATIVE LIST
Context: Recently, 6 properties from Madhya Pradesh were added to India's Tentative List by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
More on News:
- The Six Heritage Sites are: Gwalior Fort; The Historic Ensembles of Dhamnar; The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple (Bhojpur), Rock Art sites of the Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara (Bhuranpur), and the Gond Monument of Ramnagar (Mandla).
- With this India has expanded its UNESCO Tentative List to include 56 sites.
Details of the Six Heritage Sites:
| Place | Location | Features | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwalior Fort | Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh | Situated on a hill with a 10-meter-high wall, adorned with exquisite sculptures and remarkable architecture. Beautiful view of the city. | Built by Suraj Sen in the 773 AD. Captured by Tomars in 1398 AD. Man Singh Tomar built many monuments inside the fort. |
| Dhamnar Group of Caves | Dhamnar Village, Mandsaur | 51 caves with stupas, chaityas, passageways, and dense dwellings. Includes a colossal statue of Gautam Buddha. Bari Kacheri cave and Bhima Bazaar are notable. | Built in the 5th-7th century AD. Important Buddhist site with a significant cultural and historical legacy. |
| Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple | Bhojpur, near Bhopal | Dedicated to Lord Shiva, with a huge linga (2.35 m tall, 5.4 m circumference). Built on a three-tiered sandstone platform. Known as 'Somnath of the East'. | Commissioned by King Bhoj (1010–1053 AD). Unfinished temple showcasing extraordinary architectural techniques. |
| Rock Art Sites of Chambal | Chambal Basin, Central India | Largest concentration of rock art spanning the Palaeolithic to historic periods. Depicts daily life, religious rituals, and hunting practices. | Reflects ancient human habitation and cultural evolution across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. |
| Khooni Bhandara | Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh | Unique water supply system, still operational. | Built in 1615 AD by Abdul Rahim Khankhana. A testament to advanced medieval engineering. |
| Gond Memorial, Ramnagar | Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh | Moti Mahal, a five-storeyed palace built on the banks of Narmada. Currently, only three storeys are visible. | Built in 1667 AD by Gond King Hriday Shah. Showcases Gond architectural prowess and the king's determination. |
About UNESCO Tentative List:
- The Tentative List is an inventory of natural and/or cultural heritage sites that a State Party considers to demonstrate potential outstanding universal value to humanity and therefore suitable for nomination to the World Heritage List.
- States Parties must provide Tentative Lists to the World Heritage Centre before submitting any nomination, which should be submitted at least one year in advance.
3. Major UNESCO Sites and Nominations
ROYAL BURIAL MOUNDS OF ASSAM (MOIDAMS)
Context: Moidams, a 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty made it to UNESCO's World Heritage List in the cultural category as India's 43rd Entry.
About Moidams:
- About: The site, located in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam, houses the royal necropolis of the Tai-Ahom kings and queens.
- Origin of Term: 'Moidam' comes from Tai words Phrang Mai-Dam or Mai-Tam (to bury) and Dam (the spirit of the dead).
- Structure: Moidams are hemispherical burial mounds of various sizes, with a chamber, an earthen mound, a brick structure for offerings, and an octagonal boundary wall with an arched gateway facing west. The Mungklang shrine at the top symbolizes a heaven-earth continuum.
- Comparison: Moidams resemble Egypt's pyramids.
- Practice Adopted From: After the 18th century, Ahom rulers transitioned to Hindu cremation practices, entombing cremated remains in Moidams.
- Practice Ceased: The burial practice ended as Tai-Ahom rulers converted to Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Factors Affecting the Property: Challenges to preservation include heavy rainfall, soil erosion, and vegetation growth.
About Ahom Kingdom:
- Origins: The Tai-speaking people, likely from South China or Myanmar, migrated to Assam in the 13th century, establishing Charaideo as their first capital and royal necropolis, while introducing wet-rice cultivation and state formation techniques.
- Establishment: The Ahom Dynasty, founded in 1228 by Chaolung Sukapha in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley, relied on forced labor, with workers known as paiks. Sukapha earned the title "Chaolung" for his exceptional leadership.
- Religion and Society: Initially worshipped tribal gods, later influenced by Brahmanas and Hinduism.
- Mughal Incursions & British Rule: Mughal attempts to capture Assam were thwarted by Ahom resistance. In the 1800s, the Ahoms faced rebellion and were eventually overtaken by the Burmese. The British expelled the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826), and the Ahom Dynasty's 600-year sovereignty ended when Assam was annexed by the East India Company in 1826 under the Treaty of Yandaboo.
- Origins: The Tai-speaking people, likely from South China or Myanmar, migrated to Assam in the 13th century, establishing Charaideo as their first capital and royal necropolis, while introducing wet-rice cultivation and state formation techniques.
- Establishment: The Ahom Dynasty, founded in 1228 by Chaolung Sukapha in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley, relied on forced labor, with workers known as paiks. Sukapha earned the title "Chaolung" for his exceptional leadership.
- Religion and Society: Initially worshipped tribal gods, later influenced by Brahmanas and Hinduism.
- Mughal Incursions & British Rule: Mughal attempts to capture Assam were thwarted by Ahom resistance. In the 1800s, the Ahoms faced rebellion and were eventually overtaken by the Burmese. The British expelled the Burmese in the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826), and the Ahom Dynasty's 600-year sovereignty ended when Assam was annexed by the East India Company in 1826 under the Treaty of Yandaboo.
Knowledge Nugget: About UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- About: A World Heritage site is a landmark or area recognized and legally protected under an international convention managed by UNESCO.
- Designation: UNESCO designates these sites for their outstanding cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant values.
- Backing: This designation is supported by the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- Tentative List: Countries identify sites with "outstanding universal value" for potential inclusion on the World Heritage List. This list is published by the World Heritage Centre.
- India and World Heritage Site: India has 43 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
o Cultural Heritage Sites: 35
o Natural Heritage Sites: 7
o Mixed Heritage Sites: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park)
- First to be added from India (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal
- Latest to be added from India (2024): Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
- About: A World Heritage site is a landmark or area recognized and legally protected under an international convention managed by UNESCO.
- Designation: UNESCO designates these sites for their outstanding cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant values.
- Backing: This designation is supported by the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- Tentative List: Countries identify sites with "outstanding universal value" for potential inclusion on the World Heritage List. This list is published by the World Heritage Centre.
- India and World Heritage Site: India has 43 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
o Cultural Heritage Sites: 35
o Natural Heritage Sites: 7
o Mixed Heritage Sites: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park)
- First to be added from India (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal
- Latest to be added from India (2024): Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty
PALESTINIAN SITE OF TELL UMM AMER
Context: The World Heritage Committee (WHC) decided to include the Palestinian site of Tell Umm Amer in both the UNESCO World Heritage Site List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.
More on News:
- The decision was taken in the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
About Tell Umm el-'Amr:
- Historical Background: The site is an ancient Christian monastery established in the 4th century.
- Founder: Hilarion the Great (291-371 CE), a prominent figure in Palestinian monasticism.
- Location: This site is situated in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine, near the Mediterranean coast, approximately 1,000–2,000 feet from it.
- Site Features: The site includes the Monastery of Saint Hilarion, a church, cloister, dormitories, rooms for monks, and a hotel complex with baths, likely used by pilgrims.
- Dedicated to: Hilarion of Gaza.
- UNESCO Listing: Referred to as "the first monastic community in the Holy Land," it was a significant hub for religious, cultural, and economic activities.
- Saint Hilarion Monastery: Located at Tell Umm el-'Amr, Gaza Strip, Palestine, and founded around 340 CE by Hilarion, a prominent figure in Palestinian monasticism. The site includes five churches, bath complexes, mosaics, and a large crypt, originally serving as a thriving religious center.
Knowledge Nugget: About the List of World Heritage in Danger
- It is maintained by UNESCO through the World Heritage Committee.
- Establishment: Established under Article 11.4 of the World Heritage Convention, created in 1972, the list identifies World Heritage Sites facing significant threats and needing major conservation efforts.
- Purpose: To raise international awareness of these threats and promote protective measures.
- It is maintained by UNESCO through the World Heritage Committee.
- Establishment: Established under Article 11.4 of the World Heritage Convention, created in 1972, the list identifies World Heritage Sites facing significant threats and needing major conservation efforts.
- Purpose: To raise international awareness of these threats and promote protective measures.
MARATHA MILITARY LANDSCAPE
Context: Maratha Military Landscapes of India will be India's nomination for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25.
More on News:
- 12 components: Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Khanderi fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
About Maratha Military Landscape:
- Origin: The Maratha Military ideology originated in the 17th century during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and continued through the Peshwa rule until 1818 CE.
- Strategic Fortifications: A network of forts, strategically placed across the Sahyadri, Konkan, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats, showcases the integration of landscape and fortification.
- UNESCO nomination: The Maratha Military landscapes are nominated under cultural criteria for their historical importance.
- Maratha fort network: It includes hill forts like Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee; hill-forest fort Pratapgad; hill-plateau fort Panhala; coastal fort Vijaydurg; and island forts like Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg.
- Other UNESCO sites in Maharashtra: It has 6 World Heritage Sites: five cultural and one natural. These include Ajanta Caves (1983), Ellora Caves (1983), Elephanta Caves (1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (2004), Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018), and the Western Ghats spanning Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala (2012).
JAIPUR'S UNESCO HERITAGE STATUS
Context: The heritage conservation and development of the Walled City of Jaipur, will be taken up with a budgetary expenditure of ₹100 crore.
About Jaipur: The Pink City of Rajasthan:
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Declared in 2019.
- Founded: In 1727 AD by Sawai Jai Singh II, the Kachwaha Rajput ruler of Amber.
- Architectural Significance:
- Urban Planning: Built according to a grid plan influenced by Vedic architecture.
- Cultural Exchange: A blend of ancient Hindu, Mughal, and Western architectural ideas.
- Iconic Monuments: Amer fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Govind Dev temple.
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 5 Focus)
Q1. With reference to the World Heritage Committee, consider the following statements:
1. It was established under the World Heritage Convention adopted in 1972.
2. It consists of 21 States Parties including India.
3. Members serve a term of 4 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Members of the World Heritage Committee serve a term of 6 years, not 4 years.
Q2. Consider the following pairs of Hoysala temples and their locations:
1. Hoysaleswara Temple - Halebid
2. Chennakeshava Temple - Belur
3. Keshava Temple - Somanathapura
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Correct Answer: C. All three pairs are correctly matched. Hoysaleswara Temple is in Halebid, Chennakeshava Temple is in Belur, and Keshava Temple is in Somanathapura.
Q3. With reference to the Moidams of Assam, consider the following statements:
1. Moidams are hemispherical burial mounds of the Tai-Ahom kings and queens.
2. The burial practice ended as Tai-Ahom rulers converted to Hinduism and Buddhism.
3. Moidams resemble Egypt's pyramids in structure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: D. All three statements are correct. Moidams are burial mounds of Tai-Ahom rulers, the practice ended with conversion to Hinduism/Buddhism, and they resemble Egypt's pyramids.
Q4. Consider the following statements about India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
1. India has 43 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
2. The first sites added from India were Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves in 1983.
3. Khangchendzonga National Park is India's only mixed heritage site.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: D. All three statements are correct. India has 43 sites (35 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed). The first sites (Ajanta, Ellora, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal) were added in 1983, and Khangchendzonga is the only mixed heritage site.