24 December 2022

Table of Content

The history of Gujarat’s Vadnagar, included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites

GS-1: Indian Culture - Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Two sites of Gujarat have been included in the tentative list of tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites – Vadnagar, and the Sun Temple of Modhera. Both these sites are located in the Mehsana district of northern Gujarat.

World Heritage site

• A World Heritage Site is a location with an “outstanding universal value”. 
• Significance: Cultural or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.
• It is designated by World Heritage Committee under the aegis of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 
• In 1972, the Convention Concerning ‘the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ was adopted, which mandate the UNESCO to protect and preserve world Heritage sites.
• Governments of countries that have ratified the Convention identify and nominate suitable sites to the World Heritage Committee for inscription on the list maintained by UNESCO.
• Nomination process:

Heritage Sites in India

• From India, there are 40 Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. 
• Out of these 40 sites, Khangchendzonga National Park (2016) is a mixed site.
• There are 7 natural sites as mentioned below – 
• Remaining 32 are cultural sites.

Sites on the Tentative List

• In India, there are 52 sites on the tentative list.
• Out of these, sites included in tentative list in 2022 are as follows:

• Geoglyphs of Konkan Region of India
• Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes
• Sri Veerabhadra Temple and Monolithic Bull (Nandi), Lepakshi (The Vijayanagara Sculpture and Painting Art Tradition)
• Sun Temple, Modhera and its adjoining monuments
• Rock-cut Sculptures and Reliefs of the Unakoti, Unakoti Range, Unakoti District
• Vadnagar – A multi-layered Historic town, Gujarat

Vadnagar, an ancient ‘Living City’

• The town represents a continuously evolving historic urban landscape/area which played a major role in the hinterland trade network of Western India. 
• The continuity of the historic town proves its resilience and outstanding universal value unlike the sites like Harappa and Kalibangan, (Rajasthan) which were abandoned eventually.
• Architectural influence of various cultural periods: The excavated sites showcase Buddhist monasteries and dedicated stupas, fortifications of town, arched gateways (toranas), temples, wells, residential structures (kothis). 
• Location: Vadnagar is located at a strategic location of two major ancient trade routes – 

1. Joining central India with the Sindh and further northwest regions.
2. Joining the port towns on Gujarat’s coast to northern India.

• Egyptian connection: A gold coin, believed to be from the Mamluk dynasty of Egypt that dated back to the 15^th century, was also found. 
• Roman connection: Found an intaglio (a printing technique) in clay, a coin mould of Greco-Indian king Apollodotus II (80-65 BC) and the sealing of a Roman coin.

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