Archaeological Facts about India
India has an extraordinarily rich, vast and diverse cultural heritage in the form of built heritage, archaeological sites and remains since prehistoric times. The sheer magnitude in number alone is overwhelming and these are the symbols of both cultural expression and evolution.
There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance. These monuments belong to different periods, ranging from the prehistoric period to the colonial period and are located in different geographical settings. They include temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, andsecular architecture as well as ancient mounds and sites which represent the remains of ancient habitation.
World Heritage Sites in India
Out of 812 World Heritage Sites in the world, India has 27 World Heritage Sites. 22 of them are Cultural properties and 5 natural wonders. A list of these sites:
Cultural Sites:
Ajanta Caves , Ellora Caves, Agra – Fort, Agra - Taj Mahal, Konark - Sun Temple, Mahabalipuram, Churches of Old Goa, Khajuraho, Hampi, Fatehpur Sikri, Pattadakal
Elephanta Caves, Great Living Chola Temples, Sanchi, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar
Mahabodhi Temple, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Champaner, Mountain Railway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Red Fort, Delhi
Natural Sites:
Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park
Sunderbans National Park, Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers
