Five Rajasthani forts may come under UNESCO World Heritage list
The state government is trying to bring forts in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Till now, only Jantar Mantar and Keoladeo National Park has been recognised by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.
A visit to the forts of the Amber, Gagron, Kumbalgarh, Sawai Madhopur and Chittor was made by a UNESCO advisor as part of the process to declare them as sites of universal value.
"We wanted some monuments to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. As part of that it had made a visit to five forts in the Rajasthan. They will soon be submitting their reports. Now, it is up to them whether they recognise them or not," said Rajasthan's tourism minister, Bina Kak.
Sources said that an expert from International Convention of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisor to UNESCO, had visited Amber fort in Jaipur along with the four other sites a month ago.
"The expert had a questionnaire about these forts which the expert will fill up and send it to UNESCO after which it will decide whether to include these monuments in the heritage list," said a source.
A renowned conservation architect, Ratish Nanda, said that these monuments will get an international value after being recognised by the UNESCO. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) convenor for Rajasthan, Maharaja Gaj Singh, said that he is aware of the fact that the proposal of including these forts is pending with UNESCO.
A source said that these forts are under consideration for being recognised under heritage list as they have unique features. While Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand has a wall which is the second largest in the world after Great Wall of China, Gagron Fort in Jhalawar is the only fort which is surrounded by water on four sides.
Amber Fort in Jaipur is known for a distinct architectural style which has both Mughal and Rajput influence. Chittorgarh Fort is famous for its historicity. And Sawai Madhopur Fort in Ranthambhore is totally surrounded by forests.
"There are half a dozen monuments in the country which are awaiting a confirmation from UNESCO for inclusion in the list of heritage monuments," said Dr Karan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP as well as an ambassador to UNESCO.
He also said that there are two hundred monuments in the whole world waiting to get recognised as heritage monuments and it might take a long time before the monuments in India get an international recognition.
Source: Daily Bhaskar [November 15, 2011]
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| Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand, Rajasthan [Credit: Virendra Mandalia/Picasa] |
"We wanted some monuments to be included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. As part of that it had made a visit to five forts in the Rajasthan. They will soon be submitting their reports. Now, it is up to them whether they recognise them or not," said Rajasthan's tourism minister, Bina Kak.
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| Gagron Fort in Jhalawar, Rajasthan [Credit: Web] |
"The expert had a questionnaire about these forts which the expert will fill up and send it to UNESCO after which it will decide whether to include these monuments in the heritage list," said a source.
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| Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan [Credit: Web] |
A source said that these forts are under consideration for being recognised under heritage list as they have unique features. While Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand has a wall which is the second largest in the world after Great Wall of China, Gagron Fort in Jhalawar is the only fort which is surrounded by water on four sides.
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| Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan [Credit: Web] |
"There are half a dozen monuments in the country which are awaiting a confirmation from UNESCO for inclusion in the list of heritage monuments," said Dr Karan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP as well as an ambassador to UNESCO.
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| Sawai Madhopur Fort in Ranthambhore, Rajasthan [Credit: Web] |
Source: Daily Bhaskar [November 15, 2011]
