UNESCO declares sites of outstanding cultural or natural value as World Heritage Sites. India has over 40 such sites. They are grouped into cultural, natural and mixed sites. Exam questions ask the location and type of these sites.
What Are World Heritage Sites
- Recognised by UNESCO for cultural or natural importance
- India's first sites were listed in 1983
- Three types: cultural, natural and mixed
- India has more than 40 sites in total
Famous Cultural Sites
- Taj Mahal - Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Qutub Minar and Red Fort - Delhi
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves - Maharashtra
- Group of Monuments at Hampi - Karnataka
- Khajuraho Temples - Madhya Pradesh
- Sun Temple - Konark, Odisha
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Natural Heritage Sites
- Kaziranga National Park - Assam
- Keoladeo National Park - Rajasthan
- Sundarbans National Park - West Bengal
- Western Ghats - covering several states
- Great Himalayan National Park - Himachal Pradesh
Recent and Mixed Sites
- Khangchendzonga National Park - Sikkim (mixed site)
- Jaipur City - Rajasthan
- Dholavira - Gujarat (Harappan site)
- Ramappa Temple - Telangana
Quick Revision Points
- UNESCO recognises cultural and natural heritage.
- India's first sites were listed in 1983.
- Taj Mahal is in Agra.
- Kaziranga (Assam) is a natural site for rhinos.
- Hampi is in Karnataka.
- Khangchendzonga (Sikkim) is a mixed site.
- Dholavira (Gujarat) is a Harappan site.
- Sun Temple is at Konark, Odisha.