Six hill forts from Rajasthan may soon get the prestigious tag of World Heritage Sites of the Unesco. The forts — Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Jaisalmer and Amber — are all located on the Aravalli range, which also happens to be one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
Inclusion in the list of World Heritage Sites does not mean financial or other benefits but can impact the footfall pattern as these sites are usually mentioned when drawing up tour packages.
The Hill Forts of Rajasthan is a serial nomination. A two-member team from the advisory body of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) visited Jaipur in November 2012 and held a meeting with the State Government and ASI officials.
“Following this, the ICOMOS recommended that the hill forts be part of the World Heritage Site list,” Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch told reporters on Thursday.
However, while the nominations of the six hill forts were accepted, the Great Himalayan Park near Kullu in Himachal Pradesh was rejected. Katoch, however, said that the government will pursue it again next years along with Rani Ka Bagh in Pattan in Gujarat.
Four of the six forts are protected by the Achaeological Survey of India (ASI) and two by the Rajasthan state archaeological survey, said Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch adding that the nomination dossier of the hill forts was prepared by the State Government and was sent to the World Heritage Site centre in January 2011.
The monuments ranging from 8th to 19th century AD 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 ruins 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.
Each represents a different era, different geographical area and different designs. Both Ranthambore and Kumbhalgarh are forest forts. One of the defences of these forts is the thick vegetation surrounding them which practically hide their existence.
The last Indian monument that got the tag of World Heritage Site in 2010 was Jantar Mantar. Of the 911 monuments that Unesco has labelled World Heritage Sites, India hosts 28. Five of these are natural sites.