10. Which UNESCO World Heritage site in the options is not situated in Delhi?
[RPF Sub-Inspector — 6 Jan 2019, Shift 2]
A. Elephanta Caves
B. Humayun’s Tomb
C. Qutb Minar
D. Red Fort
Answer: A. Elephanta Caves
Explanation: Elephanta Caves lie on Elephanta Island near Mumbai in Maharashtra. Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and the Red Fort are all UNESCO-inscribed properties situated in Delhi. Elephanta’s most celebrated carvings depict the Hindu god Shiva.
9. In which state is the World Heritage-listed Khajuraho temple group?
[DSSSB Librarian — 4 Aug 2018]
A. Karnataka
B. Maharashtra
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. None of these
Answer: C. Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Khajuraho lies in Madhya Pradesh and was developed under Chandela rule. The temple complex includes important Hindu and Jain shrines whose sculptural programmes are celebrated worldwide. UNESCO inscribed the Group of Monuments at Khajuraho in 1986.
8. Which of these hill railways was not inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage property?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II 2016 paper — held 17 Jan 2017, Shift 2]
A. Matheran Hill Railway
B. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
C. Kalka–Shimla Railway
D. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Answer: A. Matheran Hill Railway
Explanation: Matheran Hill Railway is not one of the three lines inscribed under the Mountain Railways of India property. The recognised components are Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka–Shimla Railway, added in 1999, 2005 and 2008.
7. Which Indian national park was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in July 2016?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II 2016 paper — held 18 Jan 2017, Shift 1]
A. Khangchendzonga National Park
B. Mahabodhi Temple Complex
C. Kaziranga National Park
D. Keibul Lamjao National Park
Answer: A. Khangchendzonga National Park
Explanation: Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim became India’s first mixed World Heritage property in 2016. It combines exceptional Himalayan natural systems and sacred cultural associations. The other previously inscribed properties on the list had received recognition in earlier years.
6. In which Indian city is the UNESCO-listed Capitol Complex designed by Le Corbusier?
[RRB NTPC CBT-II 2016 paper — held 17 Jan 2017, Shift 2]
A. Kochi
B. Chandigarh
C. Goa
D. Puducherry
Answer: B. Chandigarh
Explanation: The Capitol Complex in Chandigarh is part of the transnational World Heritage property The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, inscribed in 2016. Its monumental civic architecture expresses ideas of the Modern Movement and twentieth-century urban design.
5. Which of these is the odd one out because it lacked World Heritage inscription?
[RRB NTPC Tier-I — 6 Apr 2016, Shift 1]
A. Rashtrapati Bhavan
B. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
C. Taj Mahal
D. Konark Sun Temple
Answer: A. Rashtrapati Bhavan
Explanation: Rashtrapati Bhavan is an important national monument but is not individually inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage property. The Mumbai railway terminus, Taj Mahal and Konark Sun Temple are inscribed properties recognised for their architectural importance.
4. Which treaties are linked to biodiversity:
1. Plant Genetic Resources Treaty;
2. UN Convention to Combat Desertification;
3. World Heritage Convention?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — GS Paper I, 24 Aug 2014]
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three agreements can affect biodiversity conservation. The World Heritage Convention recognises natural properties of outstanding universal value, while the plant genetic resources treaty concerns crop diversity and the desertification convention addresses land degradation and ecosystems.
3. Which option had most recently joined UNESCO’s World Heritage List when this question was asked?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2009]
A. Dilwara Temples
B. Kalka–Shimla Railway
C. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
D. Visakhapatnam–Araku railway
Answer: B. Kalka–Shimla Railway
Explanation: The Kalka–Shimla Railway was added in 2008 to the existing Mountain Railways of India World Heritage property. Its engineering over difficult Himalayan terrain complements the Darjeeling Himalayan and Nilgiri mountain railway components.
2. Consider Champaner–Pavagadh, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mamallapuram and Konark Sun Temple. Which were World Heritage Sites by 2005?
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 2005]
A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 1, 3 and 4
C. 2 and 4
D. All four
Answer: D. All four
Explanation: All four properties were on the World Heritage List by 2005. Champaner–Pavagadh and the Mumbai terminus were inscribed in 2004; Mamallapuram and Konark had received UNESCO recognition in 1984. Their inclusion covers diverse architectural traditions.
1. Match dynasties I. Gupta, II. Chandella, III. Chalukya and IV. Pallava
with sites A. Badami, B. Panamalai, C. Khajuraho and D. Deogarh.
Select the correct code.
[UPSC CSE Prelims — 1997]
A. I–D, II–C, III–A, IV–B
B. I–D, II–B, III–C, IV–A
C. I–B, II–C, III–D, IV–A
D. I–C, II–D, III–A, IV–B
Answer: A. I–D, II–C, III–A, IV–B
Explanation: The Chandellas patronised the UNESCO-listed temples of Khajuraho; Chalukyan monuments are associated with Badami, while Pallava architecture extends to Panamalai and Mamallapuram. The Gupta period is associated with the Dashavatara Temple at Deogarh.
