WORLD HERITAGE CITIES

Subject: International Events

Context: The historical fort cities of Gwalior and Orchha in Madhya Pradesh have been included in the list of UNESCOs world heritage cities under its urban landscape city programme.

Concept :

• Gwalior was established in 9th century and ruled by GurjarPratiharRajvansh, Tomar, BaghelKachvaho and Scindias. The memorabilia left by them is found in abundance in memorials, forts and palaces in the area.
• Gwalior is known for its palaces and temples, including the intricately carved SasBahuKaMandir temple. The Gwalior Fort occupies a sandstone plateau overlooking the city and is accessed via a winding road lined with sacred Jain statues. Within the forts high walls is the 15th-century Gujari Mahal Palace, now an archaeological museum.
• Orchha is is popular for its temples and palaces and was the capital of the Bundela kingdom in the 16th century. The famous spots in the town are Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, Ramraja Temple, Rai Praveen Mahal, and LaxminarayanMandir.

World Heritage City

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites are designated specific locations such as forest areas, mountains, lakes, deserts, monuments, buildings, or cities, etc. These are selected by the World Heritage Sites Committee. This committee oversees these sites with the help of UNESCO.
• The objective of this program is to select and preserve such places of the world which are important for humanity in terms of world culture. UNESCO provides financial assistance to such sites under certain circumstances.
• Each heritage site is the property of the particular country in which that site is located. But, it is also important for the international community to protect them for the coming generations.
• UNESCO believes that the entire world community is responsible for its protection. According to the official website of UNESCO, there are six cultural and four natural criteria for the selection of a world heritage site.