INDIA- World’s Heritage Home

[Sara Hasan]

India is counted amongst the most powerful nations of the world. A strong economy and a daring history have been the reasons to it. The country has been ruled over by British over 200 years and got independence on 15 Aug, 1947. The history of India includes brave warriors, Kings and a lot of monuments. There is a long list of historic monuments in India. Out of these, UNESCO has recognized a lot of places as the world’s heritage sites. As of 2010, the list has 28 places out of which five are natural sites and rest are cultural sites.

First two amazing places recognized by the UNESCO as world heritage sites were Agra Fort and Ajanta Caves. The latest entry to the list from India was in 2010 being Jantar-Mantar which is situated in Jaipur. Sundarban national park of West Bengal, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks of Uttranchal, Keoladeo National Park of Rajasthan, Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary of Assam and Manas Wild Life Sanctuary of Assam are amongst the natural sites. Kaziranga national park has been home to rare species like Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros. Manas wild Life sanctuary is home to 21 most threatened species of mammals and hundreds of species of plants. This sanctuary was once a tiger reserve as well. Keoladeo national Park is famous for 364 species of wintering birds. Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear, blue sheep and the tender landscape of the Valley of Flowers are rare at the Nanda Devi National Park. The Sundarbans National Park is also known as the largest estuarine mangrove forest in the world which is home to the Bengal Tiger, exceptional reptiles and birds as well.

The list also mentions historic monuments from the capital city, Delhi, like Humayun’s tomb, Qutb Minar and Red Fort Complex. Temples and sacred places like Mahabodhi temple complex of Bihar, Buddhist monuments of Sanchi, Sun temple of Konark, Living Chola temple of Tamil Nadu and Churches and Convents of Goa are also on the list. The list also boasts of a lot of historic monuments like Khajuraho Group of monuments of Madhya Pradesh, Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, monuments of Mahabalipuram, Agra fort, The Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri of Uttar Pradesh, monuments of pattadakal and Group of monuments of Hampi. The caves like Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta of Maharashtra are also on the charts to mesmerize anyone. The other places which made it to the lists are places like Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus of Maharashtra, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park of Gujarat, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka and Mountain railways of India.

Out of all these sites, Manas Wild Life sanctuary of Assam has been declared as a site in danger since 1992. The monuments of Hampi were also declared as sites under danger, how-ever, because of the successful conservation efforts of the UNESCO, the site recovered and is no more in the danger list since 2006. Golconda fort of Hyderabad, Gora Cemetery, Kanpur which is a grave of hundreds of English militants, The Golden Temple of Punjab, The Matheran Light Railway, Oak Grove School started by British East India Company are amongst the places which have been submitted to UNESCO for consideration.

Sara has deep interest in writing informative articles on Travel and Tourism in India. Also given her words to a portal for India Heritage Tours where one can find info on India Cultural Tours, India Heritage Travel and other destinations of India. Explore- http://www.heritagetouroperator.com