International Monetary Fund

After World War II International Monetary Fund is the second International Organisation.

International Monetary Fund is a financial institution.

IMF

Headquarter:  Washington DC

Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva

Member:  190 member

Official language: English

Parent organization: United Nations

After the Great Depression of 1930, the International Monetary Fund was established in 1944.

France was the first country to borrow from IMF.

Purpose: International Monetary Fund do three main functions follow -

 *Surveillance

*Financial assistance

*Technical assistance

History: The International Monetary Fund officially came into existence in 1945 with 29 member countries.

The IMF was created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods conference to rebuild Europe after World War II.

GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK

             GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK

                  PLACE: HIMACHAL PRADESH

FAMOUS FOR: CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY  

HISTORY: The Great Himalayan National Park is situated in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This national park is covered with alpine peaks, alpine meadows. The 90,540 hectares of the forest include the glacial mountain snow which meltwater source of several rivers. It is a part of Himalayan biodiversity protection and which includes 25 different types of forest and it is a home many threatened species. In 2014 UNESCO declared this mountain range as a world heritage site.

RANI KI VAV (THE QUEEN’S STEPWELL)

RANI KI VAV (THE QUEEN’S STEPWELL)

             PLACE: PATAN, GUJARAT

               BUILT-IN: 11^TH CENTURY

FAMOUS FOR: ITS SIZE AND SCULPTURE

HISTORY: It is a famous stepwell located in Gujarat. This stepwell is sized more than 64m long, 20m wide, and 27m deep. In this well there 500 sculptures of God mainly devoted to Vishnu in the form of 10 incarnations of DUS AVATARS:

VISHNU

KALKI

RAMA

MAHISHASURMARDINI

NARSHINH

VAMAN

VARAHI

NAGKANYA

YOGINI

APSARA showcasing 16 different styles of makeup to look more pleasant. This is known as SHOLA SHRINGAR.

UNESCO declared this site as a world heritage in 2014.

HILL FORTS OF RAJASTHAN

HILL FORTS OF RAJASTHAN

         PLACE: RAJASTHAN

  BUILT-IN: 7^TH TO 16^TH CENTURIES

 

FAMOUS FOR : ARCHITECTURE OF THE HILLS USING FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSE

HISTORY: The hills forts of Rajasthan are series of sites and they located on Aravallis Mountain Range. These mountains represent a military defensive architecture organized by The Raj puts. This is a stronghold architecture that protects the military base from attacks. The properties consist of:

Chittor Fort

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Ranthambore Fort

Gagron Fort

Amber Fort

Jaisalmer Fort

Inside these forts, there are markets, palaces, Hindu and Jain temples, and trading centres. In 2013 UNESCO declared these sites world heritage sites.

WESTERN GHATS

                                         

                       WESTERN GHATS

FAMOUS FOR: WORLD’S TEN HOTTEST BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

HISTORY: Also known as the Sahyadri Mountains. It is situated on the western side of India. The Western Ghats includes wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and reserves and it spread up to many states like Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. There are several regions which divided this region into different parts:

SAHYADRI

KUDERMUKH

NILGIRI

ANAMALAI

PERIYAR

AGASTHAYAMALAI

In 2012, UNESCO declared these sites as world heritage.

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. 

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

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.