Sarnath Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage List
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Status: BEFORE, Sarnath was merely on the UNESCO Tentative List where it had been waiting since 1998. NOW, it is India's official, singular candidate for the 2025-26 World Heritage List cycle.
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Historical narrative: BEFORE, historical plaques at the site primarily credited British officials for its modern discovery. NOW, the ASI is installing a corrected plaque crediting local ruler Babu Jagat Singh for initially unearthing the site in 1787-1788.
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Global Evaluation: BEFORE, the site was purely under domestic jurisdiction and routine ASI maintenance. NOW, the site's dossier is undergoing rigorous technical evaluation by international bodies like ICOMOS for outstanding universal value.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, consider the following statements: 1. The Dhamek Stupa marks the exact spot where Gautama Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. 2. The site was recently added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?