BriefGK: June 2020

THE JANTAR MANTAR JAIPUR

THE JANTAR MANTAR JAIPUR

PLACE: JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

BUILT BY: MAHARAJA JAI SINGH II (1727-1734)

FAMOUS FOR: COLLECTION OF ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS AND SKILLS

HISTORY: It is an extraordinary collection of different astronomical instruments and cosmological concepts and skills. This was made after the construction of Jantar Mantar in Delhi. This is an observatory which is one of the largest astronomical views and preserved and it has a set of 20 main fixed instruments. In 2010 UNESCO declared this as world heritage in India.

RED FORT COMPLEX

RED FORT COMPLEX

PLACE: DELHI

BUILT BY: EMPEROR SHAHJAHAN IN 17^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: MUGHAL ARCHITECTURE, MIXED ARTISTIC CREATIVITY

HISTORY: This fort is also known as “LAL QUILA” and it was a part of the new capital city of SHAHJAHANBAD located to the north of Delhi. This fort is the glory of Mughal's creativity. This fort is built with a mix architectural design of Persian, Timor, and Indian architectural styles. The planning of this fort is a geometrical grid lines. The fort walls built with red sandstone hence, it is RED FORT. It is located on the right bank of the River Yamuna which linked to the Salimgarh fort through a bridge over a river channel which is now used as a city road. In 2007 UNESCO declared RED FORT as a world heritage site.

Eight West African countries renamed currency to Eco

Eight West African countries change the name of the common currency to Echo

Reuters says eight West African countries have agreed to change the name of their common currency to Echo, and the former colonial ruler France has severed links with the former currency CFA France.

The CFA franc was first associated with the French franc and has been associated with the euro for almost two decades. Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo currently use the currency. All countries, except Guinea-Bissau, are former French colonies. The announcement was made on Saturday during a visit to French President Emmanuel Macron, Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa producer and France's former mainland colony in West Africa. Macron hailed it as a "historic reform" and added that in 2020, Echo will see the light of day. The deal took six months to complete. The CFA Frank, created in 1945, was seen by many as a sign of French intervention in its East African colonies, even after the country became independent.

QUTUB MINAR AND ITS MONUMENTS

QUTUB MINAR AND ITS MONUMENTS

PLACE: DELHI

BUILT BY: QUTUBUDDIN AIBAK (1192 A.D.)

FAMOUS FOR: UNIQUE REPRESENTATION OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE AND THEIR EXCELLENCE OF ART

HISTORY: Qutub Minar is a magnificent architectural work of Islamic religion and its dated 12^th century with this structure there are several monuments resided within the complex like ALAI DARWAZA GATE, ALAI MINAR, QUBBAT – UL- ISLAM MOSQUE, ILTUTMISH TOMB, AND THE FAMOUS IRON PILLAR. Qutub Minar is about 72.5 m high and base of 14.32 m of red sandstone and materials which used to build this monument are those are removed after destroying Hindu and Jain temples.

HUMAYUN’S TOMB

HUMAYUN’S TOMB

PLACE: DELHI

BUILT BY: EMPEROR HUMAYUN

DATED: 1569- 1570

FAMOUS FOR: MUGHAL ARCHITECTURAL AND UNIQUE STRUCTURE OF THE TOMB

HISTORY: This tomb is the remarkable innovation of Mughal Empire history with its extraordinary architecture and its Garden with water channels makes this special gesture. This tomb is built in the memory of Humayun’s widow Biga Begum. It is also known as the” NECROPOLIS” of the Mughal Dynasty for its double-domed elevation. Apart from the tomb, there are 150 tombs of the royal family. This tomb has a unique structure with fourfold or char bagh with two gates one on the south and other on the west. In 1983 UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site.

BUDDHIST MONUMENTS AT SANCHI

BUDDHIST MONUMENTS AT SANCHI

PLACE: MADHYA PRADESH

FORMATION: 2^ND AND 3^RD CENTURIES BC TO 12^TH CENTURY A.D.

DISCOVERED: 1818 A.D.

FAMOUS FOR: STUPAS AND PRESERVATION OF DIFFERENT ARTIFACTS

HISTORY: These monuments located 45km from the capital city of Bhopal and it is dated 200 BC and 100 BC. This site developed when Emperor Asoka was the ruler of the Mauryan Empire. These were active Buddhist monuments dated 2^nd century BC. This sanctuary has a number of pillars, temples which makes these monuments make unique preservation of culture. On January 24, 1989, UNESCO declared this a world heritage site.

NANDA DEVI AND VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK

NANDA DEVI AND VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK

PLACE: UTTARAKHAND

FORMATION: NOVEMBER 6, 1982

FAMOUS FOR: VALLEY OF FLOWERS IS FAMOUS FOR HIS ALPINE FLOWERS AND UNIQUE BEAUTY AND THE NANDA DEVI NATIONAL PARK IS FAMOUS FOR HIS MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS

HISTORY: The Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers are situated in the Garhwal Himalaya of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand.

This is a home of many animals those are rare and endangered Asiatic Black Bear, Snow leopard, Brown Bear, and Blue Sheep. The Valley of Flowers is famous for its magnificent beauty and landscape and natural view whereas The Nanda Devi National Park has unique mountains that combine form a transition zone of Zaskar and the Great Himalayas. This park is expanded up to 87.5km square km and together with the Comprises as “NANDA DEVI BIO RESERVE”. In 1988 this togetherness declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

PLACE: WEST BENGAL

FORMATION: 1939

FAMOUS FOR: LARGEST DELTA IN THE WORLD, LARGEST TIGER RESERVE

HISTORY: The Sundarbans National Park consist of the largest mangrove forest in the world and it is the largest Tiger reserve and biosphere which is located in the Sundarbans Ganges delta guarding by the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal. This biosphere is consisting of 10000km of land and water. In that 5000km is a part of India and rest is for Bangladesh. This delta is the formation of three major rivers The Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna which connects to the Bay of Bengal basin. The protection of this large delta forest started in 1973 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. This is home of a large number of the famous “ROYAL BENGAL TIGER” and many other animals, reptiles, and saltwater crocodiles live in this biosphere. In 1984, UNESCO declared this national park as a world heritage site.

GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES

GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES

PLACE: TAMIL NADU

BUILT BY: RAJENDRA I (1035) 11^TH -12^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: ARCHITECTURE, CULTURE, AND PAINTINGS OF CHOLA EMPIRE

HISTORY: This cultural site consists of three great temples built by Chola kings. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, The Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram and The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuarm. The temple of The Brihadisvara Temple has 53 m tower which makes this temple unique and efficient. The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuarm made by Rajaraja II features a 24m Viman and stone image of Lord Shiva. The main features of these temples are they are rich in paintings, carvings, and sculptures which depicts the rich in architecture.

ELEPHANTA CAVES

ELEPHANTA CAVES

PLACE: MAHARASHTRA

FORMATION: 5^TH TO 8^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: ROCK CARVINGS AND ARTWORK

HISTORY: These are sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island (also known as The City of Caves in Mumbai. These caves located alongside the Arabian Sea and it has two groups of caves: Hindu and Buddhist. There are 5 groups of Hindu caves and 2 smaller groups of Buddhist caves. The sculptures of Hindu caves dedicated to Lord Shiva. These caves made from solid Basalt rock. In 1987 UNESCO declared these caves as world heritage site.

GROUP OF MONUMENTS IN PATTADAKAL

PLACE: BAGALKOT DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

BUILT BY: CHALUKYA DYNASTY, 6^TH – 8^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: ARCHITECTURAL REPRESENT OF NORTHERN (NAGARA) AND SOUTHERN (DRAVIDIAN)

HISTORY: It consists of 9 Hindu temples, as well as Jain sanctuary in northern Karnataka. It has the most outstanding architectural carvings. These monuments are the examples of the temples built by the Chalukya Dynasty in the 6^th to the 8^th century at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal, later city was known as the “CROWN RUBIES”. These monuments are dedicated to Lord SHIVA. In 1987 UNESCO declared these monuments as a world heritage sites.

FATEHPUR SIKRI

FATEHPUR SIKRI

PLACE: UTTAR PRADESH

BUILT BY: EMPEROR AKBAR

FAMOUS FOR: MONUMENTS AND TEMPLES BUILT-IN MUGHAL ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

HISTORY: Fatehpur Sikri is also known as “THE CITY OF VICTORY”. It is situated in Uttar Pradesh. It was the capital of the Empire and the place of the Mughal court but unfortunately, it last for only 14 years due to lack of water and unrest in northwest India and it shifted the capital to Lahore. The then Akbar decided to construct it in 1576, on the same site where the birth of his son, the future Emperor Jahangir. The work has been supervised by the great Mughal himself and was completed in 1573. It is one of the largest mosques in India. In 1585 the English traveler Ralph Fitch considers the city larger than London and more populous. In 1986 UNESCO declared it a world heritage site.

GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT HAMPI

GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT HAMPI

PLACE: KARNATAKA

FORMATION: 14^th AND 16^th CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: HINDU AND JAIN RELIGIOUS TEMPLE

HISTORY: The Group of Monuments Hampi located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in Karnataka. Hampi depicts the ruins of the Vijayanagara kingdom which was the former capital of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire. This is a perfect example of Dravidian temples, palaces, and architecture. Many travelers during the 14^th and 16^th centuries traveled to Hampi to view the magnificent artifacts. There are different temples surrounded in Hampi like Virupaksha Temple and other monuments. In 1986 UNESCO declared it a world heritage site.

KHAJURAHO GROUP OF MONUMENTS

KHAJURAHO GROUP OF MONUMENTS

PLACE: MADHYA PRADESH

FORMATION: 950-1050 A.D.

FAMOUS FOR: Proof of Chandela Culture

HISTORY: The Khajuraho Group of Monuments was attributed to the Chandela dynasty which is a matter of glory. These monuments located in Madhya Pradesh with sovereignty and culture. Parts of monuments that have survived belong to the Hindu and Jain religious practices which include their sculpture and architect. Earlier these monuments consist of 86 temples and now only 22 temples have survived. UNESCO declared these monuments as world heritage in 1982.

CHURCHES AND CONVENTS OF GOA

CHURCHES AND CONVENTS OF GOA

PLACE: OLD GOA (VELHA GOA)

BUILT BY: PORTUGUESE (16^th – 18^th CENTURY)

FAMOUS FOR: Relics of Francis Xavier

HISTORY: The Churches and Convents of Goa are monuments and it is a cultural property. These were built by the Portuguese colonial rulers of Goa. These monuments are mainly in the former capital of VELHA GOA. Velha Goa is also known as Goem. These monuments of Goa also known as “ROME OF THE ORIENT”. There were originally 60 churches of which some of the surviving monuments in the city of Velha Goa. UNESCO declared world heritage in 1986.

KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK

KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK

PLACE: BHARATPUR, RAJASTHAN

ESTABLISHED: 1956

FAMOUS FOR: MIGRATORY BIRDS

HISTORY: This Park is located within the Indus – Ganges Monsoon forest. This is a national park since 1982. Earlier it was a duck-hunting reserve for the Maharajas or the Kings of Rajasthan. But in 1956 it becomes the national park. The area was divided by the humans into 10 units by partly creating the embankments. This park is famous for 364 species of wintering birds arriving from distant countries of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China and UNESCO declared this park as world heritage in 1985 and it was recorded as RAMSAR WETLAND SITE in 1981.

MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

PLACE: ASSAM

ESTABLISHED: 1907

FAMOUS FOR: Unique environment

HISTORY: The Manas wildlife sanctuary is situated in the northeast state of Assam in the foothills of Himalayas. It shares the border with BHUTAN which makes this a unique environment and natural scenario. This sanctuary is the habitat of several species of plants as well as animals. In this sanctuary, there are 21 most threatened species of mammals including 36 reptile species and 350 species of birds. This a home of many endangered animals like tiger, pygmy hog, clouded leopard, sloth bear, Indian rhinoceros, wild buffaloes, golden langur and Bengal Florican. There are many plants that are enlisted in this sanctuary. This is one of the finest monsoon forests in India which is suitable for 285 species of Dicotyledons and 98 species of Monocotyledons. UNESCO declared this sanctuary as a world heritage site in 1992 but removed in 2011.

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

PLACE: ASSAM

ESTABLISHED: 1908

FAMOUS FOR: Asiatic One- horned Rhinoceros

HISTORY: Kaziranga is one of the finest national parks in India. It has a unique environment. Kaziranga is situated on the northeast side of Assam nearby banks of Brahmaputra River. Earlier it was a wildlife sanctuary but in the year 1974 it was declared a national park. There are many mammals and species in this park which makes this park unique with its natural view and swampy land which is suitable for sustaining Rhinoceros. In 1985 UNESCO declared this national park as a world heritage site.

GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT MAHABALIPURAM

GROUP OF MONUMENTS AT MAHABALIPURAM

PLACE: TAMIL NADU

BUILT: 7^TH AND 8^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR : Temples in the form of chariots

HISTORY: These monuments built by Pallava kings in the 7^th and the 8^th century. Mahabalipuram has situated in Tamil Nadu 58 km from the capital Chennai. The temple consists of 40 monuments and open-air bas relief in the world. Chariots, Mandapas are the parts of this monument. These monuments described ancient south architecture and carvings. In 1984 UNESCO declared these monuments as world heritage.

SUN TEMPLE

SUN TEMPLE

PLACE: KONARK, PURI DISTRICT, ODISHA

BUILT BY: NARSHIMHADEVA I

FAMOUS FOR: Stone carvings

HISTORY: The Konark SUN TEMPLE is situated in the Puri district of Odisha. It is also known as BLACK PAGODA. It is located on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal Sea. This temple is a brief architecture of stone carvings and it has 24 wheels and it is built in the form of the chariot of Surya. It is one of the glimpses of ancient scientific excavations. This temple was constructed from oxidizing weathered ferruginous colored sandstone. In 1984 UNESCO declared this temple as a world heritage site of India.

TAJ MAHAL

TAJ MAHAL

PLACE: AGRA, UTTAR PRADESH

BUILT BY: EMPEROR SHAHJAHAN

FAMOUS FOR: Seven Wonders of the World

HISTORY: This is a memorial mosque. It was built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his third wife Begum Mumtaz Mahal who had died in 1631. It is a typical Mughal architecture with mixed elements of Persian, Islamic, and Indian styles. It took 16 years to build this masterpiece. Under the guidance of chief architect USTAD AHMAD LAHAURI and hard working of thousands of artisans. The vast Mughal Gardens , which almost covers 17 hectares of land on the right bank of Yamuna river. It has an octagonal layout marked by four exclusive minarets at four corners with a pristine elevation of a central bulbous dome below which the tombs are laid in an underground chamber. Calligraphic inscriptions in crusted in polychromatic pierra dura . In 1983 UNESCO declared TAJ MAHAL as the world heritage of India.

AGRA FORT

AGRA FORT

PLACE: AGRA, UTTAR PRADESH

BUILT BY: EMPEROR AKBAR

FAMOUS FOR: KHAS MAHAL, SHISH MAHAL, DIWAN- I – KHAS

HISTORY: The Agra fort is one of the magnificent architecture of the Mughal Empire. This fort is also known as the Red fort of Agra. It shows the power and piece of work of the Mughals. This fortress is located on the right bank of river Yamuna River. It is built in red sandstone which covers 2.5 km and this fort was started to build from the 16^th century when Akbar was in the reign and completed in the 18^th century during the reign of Aurangzeb. This fort is situated near the famous TAJ MAHAL. This fort is a remarkable example of Persian art. In 1983 UNESCO declared this fort as a world heritage site.

ELLORA CAVES

ELLORA CAVES

PLACE: MAHARASHTRA

BUILT: 600- 1000 A.D.

FAMOUS FOR: Rock-cut carvings

HISTORY: It’s a cultural mix of religious art of many religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. These caves have 34 monasteries and temples sculpted contiguously into rock walls of a high basalt cliff and its length up to 2km. These are the creation and artifacts of the ancient civilization of India. In 1983 UNESCO declared these caves as world heritage sites in India.

AJANTA CAVES

AJANTA CAVES

PLACE: MAHARASHTRA

BUILT: 2^ND CENTURY – 6^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: Fresco paintings, reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings and sculpture in Sri Lanka.

HISTORY: These caves are Buddhist caves which they built in two different phases. The first phase was from the reign of Asoka and the second phase was from the reign of the Gupta period. The cave depicts the paintings and sculptures of that time or era. In these caves, there are 31 rock-cut monuments through which it shows the religious and Buddhism art. In the year 1983, this site has been declared as world heritage by UNESCO.

UNESCO HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are important places of cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO.UNESCO established in 1972.

UNESCO’S role in India is very prominent and elegant. India has the sixth-largest number of heritage sites in the world. It creates a brief historical virtue in front of the world that how India is historically and culturally rich. UNESCO is a core figure through which the value of India can be shown to the world. UNESCO builds a bridge between Indian culture and world culture. It’s a medium or a platform that helps us to highlight our heritage sites so that we can share our arts, crafts, monuments, etc to the entire world.
UNESCO enlisted 38 world heritage sites located in India which is subdivided into 30 cultural sites, 7 natural sites, and one mixed- criteria site.
UNESCO’S world heritage sites in India:

1. Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra)

2. Ellora Caves (Maharashtra)

3. Agra Fort (Uttar Pradesh)

4. Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh)

5. Sun Temple, Konarak (Puri district, Odisha)

6. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu)

7. Kaziranga National Park (Assam)

8. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam)

9. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

10. Churches and Convents of Goa (Velha Goa), Goa

11. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)

12. Group of Monuments at Hampi (Ballari district, Karnataka)