The Hill Forts of Rajasthan inscribed on the World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in its 37th Session has approved for inscribing 6 hill forts of Rajasthan on the World Heritage List.  The 6 forts are as follows:

The Hill Forts of Rajasthan represent Rajput military hill architecture, which are exceptional examples of centres of Rajput power and control, are reflections of courtly culture and patronage of arts and music, their mercantile business, etc. The structural remains/ruins range from 8th to 19th century A.D. and comprise multi-gated approaches through massive and high fortification walls, palaces, temples, memorials and water reservoirs.  The extensive fortifications – up to 20 kilometres in circumference – exploit the contours of the hills, and specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forest at Ranthambhore, and the desert at Jaisalmer.

The selection of these forts, located in different cities, as a serial cultural property, is the first of its kind ever by UNESCO. The six forts will now receive enhanced international recognition the way Jantar Mantar in Jaipur did after being named in the World Heritage List in 2010. This selection will also pave way for other monuments to be nominated in the World Heritage List.

In addition to above, the proposal of India relating to ‘Great Himalayan National Park’ for inscription on the World Heritage list under ‘Natural’ category has also been upgraded from ‘Deferral’ to ‘Referral’ which means that its outstanding universal value has been accepted by the Advisory Body of World Heritage Committee.