1. The first four Indian sites were inscribed in 1983 and included the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Name the other two that are normally spoken of together?

Answer – Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Ajanta Caves

• Location: Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) on Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.
• Number of Caves: There are a total of 29 caves (all buddhist) of which 25 were used as Viharas or residential caves while 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls.
• Time of Development –
  • The caves were developed in the period between 200 B.C. to 650 A.D.
  • The Ajanta caves were inscribed by the Buddhist monks, under the patronage of the Vakataka kings – Harishena being a prominent one.
  • Reference of the Ajanta caves can be found in the travel accounts of Chinese Buddhist travellers Fa Hien (during the reign of Chandragupta II; 380- 415 CE) and Hieun Tsang (during the reign of emperor Harshavardhana; 606 – 647 CE).

Ellora Caves

• Location: It is located nearly 100 Kms away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
• Number of Caves: It is a group of 34 caves – 17 Brahmanical, 12 Buddhist and 5 Jain.
  • Time of Development
    These set of caves were developed during the period between the 5^th and 11^th centuries A.D. (newer as compared to Ajanta Caves) by various guilds from Vidarbha, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • That is why the caves reflect a natural diversity in terms of theme and architectural styles.
• UNESCO Site: The Ellora complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

2. Of the 40 inscribed sites located in India, only one of them is a ‘Mixed World Heritage Site’ having fulfilled the nomination criteria under both natural and cultural heritage. Name this place located in Sikkim.

Answer – Khangchendzonga National Park

3. Name the three railway routes that form part of the Mountain Railways of India, a UNESCO WHS.

Answer – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway

4. As far as antiquity is concerned, the oldest inscribed site is said to be 30,000 years old. Name the site located in Madhya Pradesh.

Answer – Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

5. Cities around the world have been given the status of World Heritage Site. Which bustling metropolis in western India has the distinction of being the first in the country to be accorded the status?

Answer – Ahmedabad

6. One of the first Natural sites to be given the WHS status is an avifauna sanctuary located in Bharatpur. What is its present name?

Answer – Keoladeo (Ghana) National Park, Rajasthan

7. Name this 1987 inscribed group of monuments, located in a south Indian State, that has nine Hindu temples as well as a Jain sanctuary