Hill Forts of Rajasthan UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world, considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. There are many UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites in India. One of them is Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Six Hill Forts of Rajasthan, examples of Rajput military hill architecture, namely Amer Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Gagron Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranthambore Fort were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list during the 37th meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Phnom Penh during June 2013. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

Amer Fort is a fort located near Jaipur, Rajasthan. Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. The town of Amer was originally built by Meenas, and later it was ruled by Raja Man Singh-I (21st December, 1550 – 6th July, 1614). With its large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, which is the main source of water for the Amer Palace. Constructed of sandstone and marble, the palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-i- Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-i-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) or Jai Mandir and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace.

Kumbhalgarh Fort (“Kumbhal fort”) is a Mewar fortress on the westerly range of Aravalli Hills, in the Rajsamand district near Udaipur of Rajasthan. It was built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha. Built on a hilltop 1,100 m (3,600 ft) above sea level on the Aravalli range, Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend 36 km, making it one of the longest walls in the world. Kumbhalgarh has seven fortified gateways. There are over 360 temples within the fort. The sand dunes of the Thar Desert can be seen from the fort walls.

Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is believed to be one of the very few (perhaps the only) “living forts” in the world, as nearly one fourth of the old city’s population still resides within the fort. The better part of its 800-year history, the fort was the city of Jaisalmer. The first settlements outside the fort walls, to accommodate the growing population of Jaisalmer, are said to have come up in the 17th century. Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan, built in 1156 AD by the Bhati Rajput Rawal (ruler) Jaisal from whom it derives its name. The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert on Trikuta Hill.

Gagron Fort is situated in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. It is an example of a hill and water fort. The fort is surrounded by water bodies from three sides which makes it unique. It has remarkable construction as it is constructed from the hill of Burj from one side. The famous fort was built by Raja Bijli Dev in 12th century and it was ruled around 300 years by Khinchiyans dynasty. It stands at the juncture of the Kalisindh and Ahu rivers and is surrounded by greenery.

Chittorgarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. Chittorgarh (garh means fort) was originally called Chitrakut. The fort was the capital of Mewar and is located in the present-day town of Chittor. Set atop a 180 meters high hill this majestic fort features in tales of courage, pride and romance that the bards of Rajasthan have been singing for centuries. The fort, when viewed from the above, looks roughly like a fish. Spread across an area of 700 acres, the circumference of the fort is about 13 km or 13 kilometres. There are seven massive gates, safeguarding all the entrances. The main gate is called as Ram Gate. The fort has 65 structures including temples, palaces, memorials and water bodies. There are two prominent towers within the premises of the fort namely Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) and Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame).

Ranthambore Fort lies within the Ranthambore National Park, near the town of Sawai Madhopur. It was built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. Due to its strategic location, it gave a vantage view of the enemy at bay. The fort is characterized by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls. Constructed in 944 AD, Ranthambore Fort has witnessed many sieges and battles. An architectural marvel, the fort has many attractions which include Toran Dwar, Mahadeo Chhatri and Sametonki Haveli within its premises.