UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INDIA

                        32 World Heritage Sites in India as of 2014.

1.       Agra Fort (1983)

·         16^th Century Mughal Monument.(Renovated)

·         Also known as Red Fort of Agra.

·         Includes Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, (Jahangir), Diwan-i-khas (Audience Hall), and mosques.

1.    

          Ajanta Caves (1983)

·         1^st Buddhist cave monument

·         Aurangabad district of Maharashtra

·         Almost 30 rock cut caves

·         2^nd and 1^st century B.C.

·         More richly decorated caves added during Gupta Period.

·         Buddhist Religious Art.

·         Majority of caves are vihara- halls for prayer and living

1.       Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

·         Group of Buddhist monuments- monolithic pillars, palaces, temples, and monasteries.

·         2^nd and 1^st century B.C.

·         Madhya Pradesh.

·         Stupa-meditation place for Buddhist monks. (dome-shaped)

1.       Champaner - Pavangadh Archaeological Park (2004)

·         Unexcavated archeological, historic and living cultural heritage site.

·         Prehistoric sites (Chalcolithic) sites, hill fortress of an early hindu capital, remains of 16^th century capital of state of Gujarat.

·         Kalikamata Temple- important shrine.

·         Panchmahal district in Gujarat. Forts with bastions.(type of fortification)  

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International Organisation:

Lect 1: Unesco

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UNESCO

What is UNESCO?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of United Nations (UN).

Purpose:

To contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedom proclaimed in the United Nations Charter.

Formation:

16^th November 1945

Headquarters:

Place de Fontenoy, Paris, France.

Members:

195 member states and 9 associate members.

Pursues its objectives:

5 major programs:

• Educational
• Natural Sciences
• Social/Human Sciences
• Culture
• Communication and Information

Aim:

To contribute to the building of peace, eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

Projects sponsored by UNESCO include literacy, technical, and teacher-training programmes, international science programmes, the promotion of independent media and freedom of press. 

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Art and Culture for UPSC - IAS Lecture 1

Art and Culture Lecture 1- IAS

What is Culture?

Culture is the way of life. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the language we speak and the God we worship. According to UNESCO, “We speak of culture in connection with the behavior of the people, the morals and the human relations.

Material culture: Technology, art forms, architecture, material goods, sculpture, etc.

Non-material culture: customs, traditions, philosophy, religion, festivals, beliefs, etc.

Indian Values:

The diversity of the Indian society and the culture is stupendous.

·         Principle of hierarchy: Caste system.

·         Theory of karma and rebirth:

·         Various castes and ethnic groups got assimilated in Indian Society: (Due to tolerance of Hinduism).

·         Joint Family:

·         Dharma: Living according to the codes of conduct.

Continuity in Indian Culture:

Question in UPSC 2015 Paper 1:

The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.

• The ancient past of Egypt, Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) and Greece ( Europe) had a complete break with the past, as evident with the changes seen in terms of religion, culture, values, etc examples.
• In Egypt, construction of large structures called ‘pyramids’ have now almost disappeared. It has now got Islamized while in the past it was dominated by varying polytheistic beliefs and Christianity.
• Mesopotamia produced multiple empires and civilizations rather than any single civilization.
• The ancient Greeks were a deeply religious people. They worshipped many gods in human form eg Zeus, Athena, but Religion in modern Greece is dominated by Greek Orthodox Church (role of Church).

Ancient Indian Civilization ( Harappan and Vedic) – continuity in modern times.

• Religion- mother goddess, fertility cult, proto-shiva, worship of trees(pipal) Fire altars found at lothal and Kalibangan during Harappan Civilization and increasing significance of ‘yajnas’ or sacrifices from Vedic age till today.
• Cultural life and dressing styles- pottery , game of dice, chess, comb, beaded necklaces, saree type clothing, bangles, etc.
•  Agriculture- wheels, bullock cart, grains( barley, wheat, rice, etc)
•  Urban towns- harappan times- citadel, granary, streets, weights and measures, etc.- house plans, drainage system came to be followed in later times as well.
• Social inequality existed in towns – in Vedic pd- inequalities reinforced- Varna system. Family system- patriarchal values,etc.
• knowledge of vedas , Upanishads, etc transmitted from generation to generation.
• Significance of ‘ritual bathing’ and holy bath traced back to Harrapan times ( ‘Great Bath- Mohenjodaro) is continued till today eg taking dip in Holy Ganges, Yamuna, etc is still practiced by people.

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