20. Which national park in this list was an inscribed UNESCO natural World Heritage Site as of September 2020?
[SSC MTS 2020 — conducted 11 Oct 2021, Shift 3]
A. Dachigam National Park
B. Gir National Park
C. Hemis National Park
D. Keoladeo National Park
Answer: D. Keoladeo National Park
Explanation: Keoladeo National Park at Bharatpur in Rajasthan became a UNESCO World Heritage property in 1985. It is an important wetland for resident and migratory birds. Dachigam, Gir and Hemis were not inscribed natural World Heritage properties at that date.
19. As of July 2020, which listed monument did not have UNESCO World Heritage recognition?
[SSC MTS 2020 — conducted 13 Oct 2021, Shift 1]
A. Jantar Mantar, Delhi
B. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
C. Elephanta Caves
D. Rani-ki-Vav
Answer: A. Jantar Mantar, Delhi
Explanation: The Jaipur Jantar Mantar is inscribed as World Heritage, but the separate Jantar Mantar observatory in Delhi is not. Elephanta Caves and Rani-ki-Vav are also listed properties. The crucial distinction is between the two historic observatories.
18. Which international body formally declared Hampi a World Heritage Site?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I — 12 Jan 2021, Shift 1]
A. IMF
B. United Nations Organisation directly
C. World Health Organization
D. UNESCO
Answer: D. UNESCO
Explanation: UNESCO administers the World Heritage Convention and maintains the World Heritage List through its intergovernmental mechanisms. The ruins of Hampi in Karnataka were listed in 1986 for the artistic, architectural and urban legacy of Vijayanagara.
17. Which Uttar Pradesh UNESCO heritage town was constructed under Emperor Akbar?
[UPRVUNL Technician Grade II — 14 Jul 2021, Shift 1]
A. Taj Mahal
B. Fatehpur Sikri
C. Hampi
D. Red Fort
Answer: B. Fatehpur Sikri
Explanation: Fatehpur Sikri was created as an imperial centre under Akbar in the sixteenth century. It is near Agra in Uttar Pradesh. UNESCO listed the complex in 1986 for its outstanding architecture and importance in Mughal history.
16. Who built the Alai Darwaza gateway in the Qutb World Heritage complex?
[WBCS Prelims — 2020]
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Akbar
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Jahangir
Answer: A. Alauddin Khalji
Explanation: Alauddin Khalji constructed Alai Darwaza in the early fourteenth century as a monumental gateway in Delhi’s Qutb complex. Its red sandstone, marble and arches exemplify early Sultanate architecture. UNESCO inscribed Qutb Minar and its Monuments in 1993.
15. At which UNESCO-listed site can one find nine Hindu temples and a Jain sanctuary?
[Delhi Police Constable — 9 Dec 2020, Shift 1]
A. Pattadakal
B. Bodh Gaya
C. Mahabalipuram
D. Sanchi
Answer: A. Pattadakal
Explanation: Pattadakal in Karnataka contains a notable group of early Chalukya temples reflecting Nagara and Dravida architectural traditions. The complex comprises significant Hindu temples and a Jain shrine. UNESCO declared the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal World Heritage in 1987.
14. Which city was already listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage City by August 2020?
[Delhi Police Constable — 9 Dec 2020, Shift 2]
A. Jaipur
B. Bhopal
C. Pune
D. Udaipur
Answer: A. Jaipur
Explanation: The walled city of Jaipur was inscribed in 2019. Its eighteenth-century planned street grid, market layout and characteristic architecture reflect a distinctive urban tradition. Jaipur followed Ahmedabad, which had become India’s first inscribed historic city in 2017.
13. A CGPSC paper asked which two Madhya Pradesh cities featured in December 2020 news about UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape initiative. Which pair was it?
[CGPSC Civil Service Preliminary Examination 2020 — GS Paper I]
A. Indore and Gwalior
B. Orchha and Gwalior
C. Bhopal and Rewa
D. Bhopal and Indore
Answer: B. Orchha and Gwalior
Explanation: Orchha and Gwalior were selected for a Historic Urban Landscape pilot initiative. Importantly, UNESCO formally clarified on 12 December 2020 that neither city had thereby been inscribed on the World Heritage List; the original exam question conflated these two distinct programmes.
12. Which city hosted the 43rd World Heritage Committee session where Jaipur received inscription?
[UPPSC Civil Services Prelims — 2019, Paper I]
A. Baku
B. Bishkek
C. Istanbul
D. Marrakesh
Answer: A. Baku
Explanation: The 43rd session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2019. At that meeting Jaipur City in Rajasthan was added to the list for its planned urban layout and architectural heritage.
11. For which main ecological feature was Sundarbans recognised as a World Heritage property?
[WBCS Prelims — 2019]
A. Tiger reserve label alone
B. Sundari tree alone
C. Mangrove forest ecosystem
D. General biodiversity alone
Answer: C. Mangrove forest ecosystem
Explanation: Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal was inscribed by UNESCO in 1987 for its exceptional tidal mangrove ecosystem and associated wildlife. Its estuarine islands, creeks and habitats support globally important species including the Bengal tiger.
