SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025
Self-Paced Course
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (India)
Reference: Lucent GK, NCERT Class 6–12
India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as of 2024)
India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Cultural: 34 sites
- Natural: 7 sites
- Mixed (Cultural + Natural): 1 site
1. Cultural Heritage Sites
Architectural brilliance, historical significance, and cultural traditions.
| Site | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | White marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan; symbol of love |
| Hampi | Karnataka | Capital of Vijayanagara Empire; Dravidian temples & market streets |
| Khajuraho Temples | Madhya Pradesh | Erotic sculptures; Nagara-style temples of Chandela dynasty |
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | Buddhist rock-cut caves; paintings depicting Jataka tales |
| Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | Rock-cut caves of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religions; Kailasa temple |
| Sun Temple, Konark | Odisha | 13th-century chariot-shaped temple dedicated to Surya (Sun god) |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | Capital of Akbar; blend of Persian and Indian architecture |
| Qutub Minar & Humayun’s Tomb | Delhi | Indo-Islamic architectural heritage |
| Rani ki Vav | Gujarat | Stepwell in Patan; Maru-Gurjara style; female patronage of architecture |
| Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu | Exemplify Tamil temple architecture under Chola dynasty |
Note: Cultural sites are India’s strength in UNESCO listings.
2. Natural Heritage Sites
Ecologically significant areas, rich in biodiversity and geological features.
| Site | State | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | UNESCO-listed for one-horned rhinoceros and floodplain ecosystem |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | Former royal hunting ground; now a bird sanctuary of international importance |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | Largest mangrove forest; habitat of Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Western Ghats | Maharashtra to Kerala | Biodiversity hotspot with endemic species |
| Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers | Uttarakhand | Alpine meadows and rare Himalayan flora; home to snow leopard, musk deer |
Note: Natural sites are often biodiversity hotspots, protected under Indian environmental laws.
3. Mixed Heritage Site
Sites with both cultural and natural significance.
| Site | State | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | Sacred landscape; rich flora & fauna; includes India’s highest peak |
India’s first and only Mixed Heritage Site (listed in 2016).
Quick Exam Facts:
- India’s first UNESCO sites (1983): Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal.
- Ellora: Only site with Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments.
- Santiniketan (West Bengal) added in 2023 as a cultural landscape.
- Ramappa Temple (Telangana) listed in 2021 for its engineering brilliance.
Developed By Jan Mohammad
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