30. Why did Dholavira in Gujarat feature prominently in heritage news in 2021?
[RPSC RAS Prelims — 27 Oct 2021]
A. Declaration as a tiger reserve
B. UNESCO World Heritage inscription
C. Notification as a national park
D. Attack on the archaeological site
Answer: B. UNESCO World Heritage inscription
Explanation: Dholavira, a Harappan urban settlement in Gujarat’s Kutch district, entered the World Heritage List in 2021. Its sophisticated reservoirs, street planning and archaeological remains reveal significant aspects of Indus civilisation urbanism and water management.
29. Which Indian site was newly inscribed on UNESCO’s list in July 2021?
[Rajasthan Gram Vikas Adhikari — 27 Dec 2021, Shift 2]
A. Corbett National Park
B. Meenakshi Temple
C. Ramappa Temple
D. Qutb Minar
Answer: C. Ramappa Temple
Explanation: The Kakatiya Rudreshwara, or Ramappa, Temple in Telangana was inscribed in July 2021. Qutb Minar had already been listed in 1993, whereas Meenakshi Temple and Corbett National Park were not newly inscribed World Heritage properties.
28. Which eleventh-century scholar first recorded the name Khajuraho, according to the examination?
[WBCS Prelims — 22 Aug 2021]
A. Ibn Battuta
B. Ibn Sina
C. Al-Biruni
D. Omar Khayyam
Answer: C. Al-Biruni
Explanation: Al-Biruni described many aspects of Indian life and places in his eleventh-century writings. The Khajuraho temples were erected mainly under Chandela rulers and are renowned for artistic stone carving. UNESCO inscribed the Khajuraho Group in 1986.
27. Which property was India’s submission for the 2021–22 World Heritage nomination cycle?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I — 26 Jul 2021, Shift 1]
A. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
B. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
C. Dholavira
D. Santiniketan
Answer: A. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
Explanation: India advanced the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas nomination for the 2021–22 cycle. The Karnataka temple complexes ultimately entered the World Heritage List in 2023. Bhimbetka had already been listed, while Dholavira was inscribed in 2021.
26. Where is the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, part of a UNESCO heritage complex?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I — 7 Apr 2021, Shift 1]
A. Mandsaur
B. Bhubaneswar
C. Khajuraho
D. Mahabalipuram
Answer: C. Khajuraho
Explanation: The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is among the finest temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. It reflects the mature Nagara style under Chandela patronage. UNESCO inscribed Khajuraho’s outstanding group of Hindu and Jain temples in 1986.
25. In which year was Fatehpur Sikri placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector — 1 Dec 2021, Shift 1]
A. 1986
B. 1990
C. 1972
D. 1979
Answer: A. 1986
Explanation: UNESCO inscribed Fatehpur Sikri in 1986. Emperor Akbar founded the Mughal capital in the sixteenth century, producing a highly distinctive palace, mosque and ceremonial ensemble. The town is near Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
24. In what year did the ruins at Hampi gain UNESCO World Heritage status?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector — 16 Nov 2021, Shift 3]
A. 2006
B. 1986
C. 1996
D. 1976
Answer: B. 1986
Explanation: The Group of Monuments at Hampi was inscribed in 1986. The site in Karnataka preserves monumental remains of Vijayanagara, including religious complexes, market streets, royal buildings and engineered water systems. It remains one of India’s important archaeological landscapes.
23. Which Indian temple complex among these appears on UNESCO’s World Heritage List?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I — 4 Feb 2021, Shift 2]
A. Khajuraho
B. Vaishno Devi shrine
C. Akshardham Temple
D. Krimchi Temple
Answer: A. Khajuraho
Explanation: The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh was inscribed in 1986. Developed under the Chandela dynasty, it contains extraordinary Hindu and Jain temples. Their intricate sculpture and classical Nagara architecture underpin their international heritage significance.
22. Which pairing of a UNESCO monument and its state is incorrect?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I — 15 Feb 2021, Shift 1]
A. Konark Sun Temple — Odisha
B. Elephanta Caves — Karnataka
C. Fatehpur Sikri — Uttar Pradesh
D. Sundarbans National Park — West Bengal
Answer: B. Elephanta Caves — Karnataka
Explanation: Elephanta Caves are on an island near Mumbai in Maharashtra, not Karnataka. The other pairs are correctly located. Elephanta, inscribed in 1987, is especially admired for large rock-cut sculptures related to Shaiva religious traditions.
21. In which year did the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi enter the UNESCO World Heritage List?
[SSC GD — 22 Nov 2021, Shift 3]
A. 1989
B. 1999
C. 1967
D. 2014
Answer: A. 1989
Explanation: UNESCO inscribed the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi in 1989. The complex contains stupas, temples and monastic remains in Madhya Pradesh. The Great Stupa’s Ashokan core and later sculpted gateways are especially important for Indian Buddhist art history.
