Context:
Six heritage sites from Madhya Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s tentative list.
UNESCO Tentative List:
- Tentative List – An ‘inventory’ made by a country of its important natural and cultural heritage sites located within its boundaries
- Deciding authority – Once a site has been nominated and evaluated, it is up to the World Heritage Committee to make the final decision on its inscription
- The Committee cannot consider a nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List unless the property has already been included on the State Party’s Tentative List.
- 6 new sites included – Gwalior Fort, Historical Group of Dhamnar, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara, God Memorial of Ramnagar
Gwalior Fort:
- Built in – 8th century
- Built during – Tomar dynasty
- Architectural styles – Blend of Rajput, Mughal, and Hindu
Historical Group of Dhamnar:
- Consists of – Buddhist caves and a Hindu temple complex known as Dharmanath temple
- Mentioned in – The accounts of explorers James Tod, James Furgusson and later by Alexander Cunningham
Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple:
- Built by – Raja Bhoj
- Unique Features – Abstract representation of the deity Shiva or ‘linga’ in the temple sanctum.
Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley:
- Location – Indragarh hill in Chambal basin
- Dates back to – Megalithic Age
Khooni Bhandara:
- Khooni Bhandara – Underground water management system
- Dates back to – Mughal period
- Built on – Qanat style, a Persian invention for water management in arid regions
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following statements is correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river
(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river
(c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river
(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river
Answer: (a)
