If you ever visit the state of Gujarat, going to Dholavira should definitely be on your bucket list. Located 250 km from Bhuj, Dholavira is one of the 5 cities that belong to the Indus Valley Civilisation, also known as the Harappan Civilization.
According to NDTV, Dholavira is famous for its striking architectural planning and architecture, which comprises open-air stadiums, a water harvesting system, a citadel, a ‘middle town’, and a ‘lower town.
Owing to its historical significance and remarkable architecture, UNESCO has awarded Dholavira the prestigious tag of being a ‘World Heritage’ site. It is now the 40th treasure in India to get this title, reports The Indian Express.
UNESCO announced the good news on Twitter.
🔴 BREAKING!
Dholavira: A Harappan City, in #India🇮🇳, just inscribed on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List. Congratulations! 👏
ℹ️ https://t.co/X7SWIos7D9 #44WHC pic.twitter.com/bF1GUB2Aga
— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳😷 (@UNESCO) July 27, 2021
“While the Harappan city of Dholavira has borne witness to the entire trajectory of the rise and fall of an early civilization of humankind, the Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple stands as an outstanding marvel of the Kakatiyan culture. Both sites make great contributions to the shared heritage of humanity,” UNESCO’s New Delhi Director Eric Falt said in a statement.
A release from UNESCO World Heritage Committee said it is “one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE”.
According to an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the art of the city is also noteworthy. During excavations, artefacts made of copper, stone, jewellery of terracotta, gold and ivory were found.
Dholavira essentially comprises of two parts – a walled city and a cemetery to the west of the city.
“The walled city consists of a fortified Castle with attached fortified Bailey and Ceremonial Ground, and a fortified Middle Town and a Lower Town. A series of reservoirs are found to the east and south of the Citadel. The great majority of the burials in the Cemetery are memorial in nature,” the Ministry of Culture said.
Indians were delighted on hearing the news! Many took to Twitter to express how it was “about time” that Dholavira received the recognition it deserved.
Dholavira being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List is wonderful news. Have nostalgic memories of my visit to this most prominent archaeological site of India belonging to the Indus Valley civilisation. Was one of the grandest cities & is one of the largest Harappan sites pic.twitter.com/1uGBtoxt2T
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) July 27, 2021
#Dholavira in Gujarat, a Harappan-era city and a gem of Indic civilization gets inscribed in @UNESCO's #WorldHeritage list. #Dholavira is also the 40th Indian heritage treasure to be included in the prestigious list.
A matter of immense pride for all Indians. pic.twitter.com/QIN7oinaJz
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 27, 2021
Finally!!! The ignored Harappan city will now receive its much deserved attention.#India #WorldHeritage https://t.co/t8Yj7qjOAf
— Elliot (@anxietyprime09) July 27, 2021
Dholavira reflects the lively & rich cultural heritage of Harappa. It is also testimony to the fact that the Indus Valley civilization had advanced far ahead in comparison to other civilizations. Congratulations on the declaration of #Dholavira as #WorldHeritageSite by @UNESCO . pic.twitter.com/gCdBsBN10C
— Lok Sabha Speaker (@loksabhaspeaker) July 27, 2021
The city with an exceptional drainage system, the first of its kind, Dholavira🔥 Great news!#WorldHeritageSite @UNESCO https://t.co/8qtCF5dI79
— Arun Bhattacharya (@ABhattacharya_9) July 27, 2021
Thank you UNESCO, this is my great country which represents the great Indian history. This will help to enhance our society through past intelligence. @PMOIndia https://t.co/6hdXhWWs0H
— विनीत तिवारी (@Vineet_Tiwari1) July 27, 2021
Great news coming in from @UNESCO!
Dholavira, a Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat makes it to the list of UNESCO #WorldHeritage Sites.
It's a proud moment for India 🇮🇳 as our tally has now touched 40! @UNinIndia @MinOfCultureGoI@IndiaatUNESCO https://t.co/goyKaOT58k
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) July 27, 2021
A proud moment for all of us indeed!