Hill Forts of Rajasthan World Heritage Site

Official name

Hill Forts of Rajasthan | UNESCO

Country

India | Map

Continent

Asia

Location

24.8833° Lat, 74.6461° Lon | Map

Code

247

Time Zone

Asia/Kolkata (IST, +0530)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2013. The serial site, situated in the state of Rajastahan, includes six majestic forts in Chittorgarh; Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur; Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. The ecclectic architecture of the forts, some up to 20 kilometres in circumference, bears testimony to the power of the Rajput princely states that flourished in the region from the 8th to the 18th centuries. Enclosed within defensive walls are major urban centres, palaces, trading centres and other buildings including temples that often predate the fortifications within which developed an elaborate courtly culture that supported learning, music and the arts. Some of the urban centres enclosed in the fortifications have survived, as have many of the site's temples and other sacred buildings. The forts use the natural defenses offered by the landscape: hills, deserts, rivers, and dense forests. They also feature extensive water harvesting structures, largely still in use today.