“Six Sites from Madhya Pradesh on UNESCO’s Tentative List” refers to the recognition of six culturally and historically significant locations within Madhya Pradesh, India, for potential inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, showcasing the state’s rich heritage and diversity.
Tags: GS–1 Conservation- Government Policies & Interventions- Indian Heritage Sites- Ancient Indian History- Temple Architecture- Indian Architecture
For Prelims: Gwalior Fort, Historical Group of Dhamnar, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur, and Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, India’s World Heritage Sites.
For Mains: Key Features of SItes Recently Added to Tentative UNESCO List of WHS, Types of Heritage Sites.
Context :
- Six heritage sites in MP have been included in the tentative UNESCO list.
- Sites included:
- Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh
- Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur
- Rock Art Sites of the Chambal Valley
- The Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur
- The Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla
- The historic ensemble of Dhamnar
About the Sites:
- Gwalior Fort:
- Gwalior Fort was built in the 8th century, and its origins can be traced back to the Tomar dynasty.
- It is strategically located on a steep sandstone hill, which provides a natural defence advantage.
- It is built on an outcrop of Vindhyan sandstone on a rocky, solitary, thin and long steep hill called Gopachal.
- The earliest record of the fort is mentioned in an inscription in the temple of the Hun Emperor, Mihirakula.
- Monuments inside the Fort: Man Mandir, Gajari Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Teli ka Mandir, Saas Bahu Temple, etc.
- Khooni Bhandara, Burhanpur:
- Khooni Bhandara is an underground water management system comprising eight waterworks built in the historical city of Burhanpur in MP.
- Built on a similar Persian qanat approach, these water systems were constructed in 1615 CE during the governorship of Abdur Rahim khan- Khanan during Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s reign.
- The Khooni Bhandara Qanat system exhibits the intercultural exchange of Persian and Water Management Systems with local and regional adaptations in Central India by the Mughal rulers.
Qanat System
- The Qanat system was used widely across Persia and the Middle East for many reasons:
- The system requires no energy, reliant on the force of gravity alone.
- The system can carry water across long distances through subterranean chambers avoiding leakage, evaporation, or pollution.
- The discharge is fixed by nature, producing only the amount of water that is distributed naturally from a spring or mountain, ensuring the water table is not depleted.
- It allows access to a reliable and plentiful source of water to those living in otherwise marginal landscapes.
- In India, the Qanat system specifically is found in the historic cities of the Deccan primarily Aurangabad, Bijapur and Bidar.
- Rock Art in the Chambal Basin:
- The Chambal Basin and Central India region contain the world’s largest known rock art sites.
- The Chambal Basin covers parts of MP, Rajasthan, and UP.
- Rock art in the Chambal Basin dates back to the Early Holocene and has been crafted by various civilizations over different historical periods.
- It bears an exceptional testimony to the civilization of Acheulian, Lower, Middle and Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic and Early Historical periods.
- It contains depictions which are related to a particular way of life of the people of that period.
- During the Mesolithic period the theme of the paintings is related to hunting, gathering, collecting and fishing.
- The Chalcolithic period focuses on the cattle theme. During the Historical and Mediaeval periods, there was a shift, in which the theme became religion centric.
- Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhojpur:
- Bhojpur temple and its Shivalinga were established by the famous Parmar king Bhoj of Dhar.
- Built on the banks of Betwa river, this example of high quality architecture was prepared with the cooperation of the chief architect of Raja Bhoj and other learned architects.
- The Shivalinga present in this temple is considered to be the largest Shivalinga in the world.
- Gond monuments of Ramnagar, Mandla:
- The monuments of Ramnagar represent the seat of power of the Garha-Mandla kingdom built by the King Hirde Shah in the late 17th century.
- The cluster of monuments include: Moti Mahal, Raibhagat ki Kothi, Vishnu Mandir, Begum Mahal, Dalbadal Mahal, Chaugan Ryotwari.
- The monuments are a manifestation of the unique amalgamation of the cultures of their adversaries – Rajputs and Mughals, achieved by the originally forest-dwelling Gond community.
- Gonds are the largest tribal community in India, who have inhabited the dense forests of the Vindhyas, Satpura and Mandla in MP.
- Historic ensemble of Dhamnar:
- This rock-cut site consists of a total of 51 caves of varying sizes carved into the laterite hill.
- The hill consists of two groups of structures, the series of Buddhist caves and the hindu temple complex known as the Dharmrajeshwar temple, also called Dharmanath temple.
- The caves consist of dwellings, halls of various sizes, stupas, statues of Buddha in rare postures and displays of craftsmanship in the works with the stone imitating the details of wooden elements and decorative designs.
What is the Tentative UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites?
- World Heritage Sites are globally recognized locations deemed to hold exceptional value for humanity.
- Designated by UNESCO, they receive special protection to safeguard their preservation for future generations.
- This initiative is supported by the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, established in 1972.
- The Tentative UNESCO list comprises sites nominated by individual countries, reflecting their perceived “outstanding universal value” and potential suitability for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
Types of heritage sites:
- Cultural Heritage Sites: These include artifacts, monuments, groups of buildings, museums, and other structures that hold diverse values such as symbolic, historic, artistic, aesthetic, ethnological, anthropological, scientific, and social significance.
- Natural Heritage Sites: Limited to exceptional natural areas characterised by outstanding ecological and evolutionary processes, unique natural phenomena, rare or endangered species habitats, and other remarkable natural features.
- Mixed Heritage Sites: These sites combine elements of both cultural and natural significance. They may feature historic buildings, archaeological sites, or cultural landscapes alongside exceptional natural features or ecological processes.
In India, there are currently 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- The establishment of Santiniketan in West Bengal by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, designated as the 41st site.
- The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka, which comprise a collection of splendid Hoysala-era temples, recognized as the 42nd site.
FAQs
1. What are the six sites from Madhya Pradesh listed in UNESCO’s tentative list?
- The six sites from Madhya Pradesh on UNESCO’s tentative list are: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Bhojpur, Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Orchha Group of Monuments, Sanchi Stupa, and the Rock Shelters of Bagh.
2. What makes Bhimbetka Rock Shelters significant for UNESCO’s tentative list?
- Bhimbetka Rock Shelters in Madhya Pradesh are renowned for their archaeological significance, housing some of the earliest traces of human life in India. The site contains cave paintings dating back to the Paleolithic era, showcasing the cultural evolution of mankind over thousands of years.
3. Why is the Khajuraho Group of Monuments included in UNESCO’s tentative list?
- The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a collection of stunning temples renowned for their intricate carvings and intricate architectural design. These temples depict various aspects of life, including spirituality, love, and daily activities, making them significant cultural and historical landmarks.
4. What distinguishes the Sanchi Stupa for UNESCO’s tentative list?
- Sanchi Stupa is an ancient Buddhist monument that dates back to the 3rd century BCE. It is renowned for its architectural grandeur and historical importance as one of the oldest stone structures in India. The site holds immense religious significance for Buddhists and serves as a symbol of the spread of Buddhism in ancient India.
5. Why is the inclusion of the Rock Shelters of Bagh important in UNESCO’s tentative list?
- The Rock Shelters of Bagh feature exquisite rock paintings dating back to the Gupta period, showcasing the artistic skills and cultural heritage of ancient India. These shelters provide valuable insights into the life, beliefs, and artistic expressions of the people who inhabited the region thousands of years ago, thus warranting their inclusion in UNESCO’s tentative list.
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