Red Fort a World Heritage Site
| UNESCO chooses Mughal marvel over competitors from 45 other sites |
Mughal majesty: The ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi, in a file picture.
New Delhi: The 17th century Mughal marvel, Red Fort, has joined the ranks of 26 other Indian sites, including the Taj Mahal, to be included in the list of World Heritage Sites. The red sandstone monument built by Emperor Shah Jehan in Delhi, beat competitors from 45 other sites across the globe.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee took the eagerly awaited decision at a meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Thursday. The choice of a range of other sites worldwide was announced simultaneously.
The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity, which under Shah Jehan was brought to a new level of refinement. The planning of the fortress and palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions, UNESCO said in a statement.
The other Indian monuments which have been given World Heritage status in the past include the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort in Uttar Pradesh, the Sun Temple in Orissa, the monuments at Hampi in Karnataka and the Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh. In the national capital, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar are already on the list.
India had proposed the Majuli Islands in Assam for the status last year, but it was not included.
The Red Fort almost got nominated by India in 1993. The government deferred it at that time as a major part of the fort was occupied by the Army. Later, the Archaeological Survey of India took charge of it and carried out conservation and beautification work as it chose the monument as the country's nominee for this year's World Heritage List.
The Red Fort's innovative planning and architectural style, including its garden design, strongly influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and further afield.
Through its fabric, the complex reflects all phases of Indian history from the Mughal period to Independence, UNESCO said. — PTI
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