UNESCO Sites — Set 5
Arts & Culture · UNESCO स्थल · Questions 41–50 of 60
Which Indian monument was the first to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983?
Correct Answer: D. Ajanta Caves
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and the Taj Mahal were all included in the first batch of Indian sites in 1983. Ajanta is specifically known for its 2nd-century BCE Buddhist rock-cut architecture. It remains a pinnacle of classical Indian art and painting.
The 'Taj Mahal' was built by Shah Jahan in memory of which queen?
Correct Answer: A. Mumtaz Mahal
The correct answer is 'Mumtaz Mahal'. The white marble mausoleum was constructed in Agra between 1631 and 1648. It is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 for being a 'jewel of Muslim art in India'.
The 'Sun Temple' at Konark is also popularly referred to as?
Correct Answer: D. The Black Pagoda
The temple's dark color led 17th-century European sailors to call it the Black Pagoda, contrasting it with the white-plastered Jagannath Temple in Puri. It is located in Odisha and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. The temple represents the high point of Kalinga architecture.
Where is the headquarters of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)?
Correct Answer: A. Paris, France
UNESCO was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Paris. Its primary mission is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration. It identifies and protects world heritage sites through the World Heritage Committee.
Which state houses the 'Kaziranga National Park', a UNESCO site since 1985?
Correct Answer: D. Assam
Kaziranga is famous for hosting two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses. It is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. The park is also recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
The 'Elephanta Caves' are dedicated predominantly to which Hindu deity?
Correct Answer: A. Lord Shiva
The caves are located on an island in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai. They contain rock-cut stone sculptures that show syncretism between Hindu and Buddhist ideas. The 'Trimurti' Shiva is the most iconic representation found here.
The 'Group of Monuments at Hampi' was the capital of which empire?
Correct Answer: B. Vijayanagara
Hampi served as the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It is located in the Tungabhadra basin in Karnataka. The site is a vast open-air museum of temples, palaces, and bazaar streets.
Which state is home to the 'Keoladeo National Park', a famous bird sanctuary?
Correct Answer: D. Rajasthan
The correct answer is 'Rajasthan'. Located in Bharatpur, Keoladeo was once a royal hunting ground but is now a major wintering area for migratory birds. It was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1985. It is particularly known for the rare Siberian Crane that used to visit the park.
The 'Bhimbetka Rock Shelters' are famous for what archaeological feature?
Correct Answer: B. Prehistoric cave paintings
Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh exhibits the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent. The paintings in the rock shelters are approximately 30,000 years old. They provide a unique record of the interaction between people and the landscape.
The 'Great Living Chola Temples' are located in which Indian state?
Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu
The correct answer is 'Tamil Nadu'. This UNESCO site includes three great 11th and 12th-century temples: Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, and Darasuram. They are exceptional examples of Dravidian architecture and sculpture. The temples continue to be used for religious rituals even today.