India’s UNESCO Heritage Boom under PM Modi: A Cultural Renaissance

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in May 2014, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in the number of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As of July 2025, 14 new sites have been inscribed on the prestigious global list, marking a period of exceptional recognition for India’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

This expansion is not accidental—it reflects a strategic shift in India’s global cultural positioning, backed by active government diplomacy, better conservation efforts, and a clear emphasis on celebrating India’s civilizational legacy beyond colonial and Mughal narratives.

Understanding the UNESCO Heritage Tag

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) bestows the “World Heritage” status on sites that possess “Outstanding Universal Value” (OUV). This includes historical monuments, cities, landscapes, or natural reserves that represent humanity’s shared heritage.

India, a cradle of civilizations, has hundreds of deserving locations. But inclusion on the UNESCO list is a rigorous process requiring legal protections, detailed dossiers, and global lobbying. Until 2014, India had 30 listed sites. In the following decade, that number grew to 44, thanks largely to policy prioritization under the Modi government.

14 Sites Added After 2014: A Chronological Overview

1. Great Himalayan National Park (2014)

  • Location: Himachal Pradesh
  • Type: Natural
  • Recognized for its unique biodiversity in the Western Himalayas, this park became India’s first World Heritage Site under Modi. It harbors rare flora and fauna including snow leopards and Himalayan brown bears.

2. Nalanda Mahavihara (2016)

  • Location: Bihar
  • Type: Cultural
  • Once a global center for learning, Nalanda was one of the oldest residential universities in the world. The recognition highlights India’s ancient knowledge systems and Buddhist connections.

3. Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

  • Location: Sikkim
  • Type: Mixed (Natural + Cultural)
  • The only mixed heritage site in India, it blends high-altitude natural beauty with sacred cultural traditions of the indigenous Lepcha people.

4. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier – Capitol Complex (2016)

  • Location: Chandigarh
  • Type: Cultural (International Shared Site)
  • This modernist site, shared with other countries, recognizes the urban planning and architectural vision of Le Corbusier, which shaped post-independence India’s civic identity.

5. Historic City of Ahmedabad (2017)

  • Location: Gujarat
  • Type: Cultural
  • Ahmedabad became India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, applauded for its Islamic, Hindu, and Jain architecture, pols (neighborhoods), and urban planning. Notably, it is Modi’s home state capital.

6. Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)

  • Location: Maharashtra
  • Type: Cultural
  • This inscription honors Mumbai’s layered colonial architectural heritage and its unique blend of Victorian and early 20th-century Art Deco styles.

7. Jaipur City (2019)

  • Location: Rajasthan
  • Type: Cultural
  • Known as the Pink City, Jaipur’s grid-based design, city gates, palaces, and planning principles rooted in Vedic architecture earned it global admiration.

8. Ramappa Temple (Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple) (2021)

  • Location: Telangana
  • Type: Cultural
  • Dating back to the 13th century, the temple is praised for its intricate carvings, floating bricks, and earthquake-resistant construction—highlighting the engineering prowess of Kakatiya artisans.

9. Dholavira: A Harappan City (2021)

  • Location: Gujarat
  • Type: Cultural
  • This ancient Indus Valley city shows advanced urban planning, water management, and cultural continuity. It was the first Indus Valley site in India to get UNESCO status.

10. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (2023)

  • Location: Karnataka
  • Type: Cultural
  • Includes the temples of Belur, Halebidu, and Somnathapura, famous for their intricate soapstone carvings and fusion of Dravidian and Nagara styles.

11. Santiniketan (2023)

  • Location: West Bengal
  • Type: Cultural
  • Founded by Rabindranath Tagore, this unique educational and cultural institution emphasizes open-air learning and holistic development. Its inscription highlights India’s modern intellectual heritage.

12. Moidams – Mound Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (2024)

  • Location: Assam
  • Type: Cultural
  • These royal burial mounds, resembling small pyramids, reflect Tai-Ahom spiritual traditions and Northeast India’s historical contributions.

13. Maratha Military Landscapes (2025)

  • Location: Maharashtra & Tamil Nadu
  • Type: Cultural
  • A network of 12 forts showcasing indigenous military architecture, developed during Shivaji’s reign. The inclusion marks a shift in focus toward non-Mughal Indian empires.

14. (Tentative) River Island of Majuli

  • Location: Assam
  • Type: Cultural
  • Although still under review, Majuli—the world’s largest inhabited river island—is known for its satras (Vaishnavite monasteries), tribal traditions, and ecological significance.

A Strategic Shift: Focus on Indigenous & Regional Heritage

Under earlier regimes, India’s nominations leaned heavily on Mughal or colonial architecture. Under Modi, the focus has shifted to:

  • Pre-Islamic Indian civilizations (like Dholavira, Ramappa)
  • Regional dynasties (Hoysalas, Kakatiyas, Ahoms)
  • Spiritual traditions and native cultures (Santiniketan, Majuli)
  • Integrated landscape planning (Maratha forts, Ahmedabad)

This reflects a broader civilizational narrative that emphasizes India’s continuity, diversity, and home-grown knowledge systems.

Political & Diplomatic Willpower

Achieving a UNESCO inscription requires persistent international diplomacy and technical expertise. Under the Modi government:

  • The Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) streamlined the nomination process.
  • India lobbied through UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, gaining support from global partners.
  • UNESCO heritage became a soft power tool in India’s “Vishwa Guru” (global teacher) positioning.

Impact on Tourism and Local Economies

UNESCO sites boost tourism and community pride. States like Gujarat, Telangana, and Assam have seen a rise in footfall and funding due to heritage recognition. With proper planning, these sites become sustainable hubs of:

  • Tourism
  • Handicrafts and local arts
  • Community-based employment
  • Academic research and cultural exchange

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the progress, many challenges remain:

  • India still has over 60 sites on its Tentative List, many awaiting nomination.
  • Issues like conservation, encroachment, and tourism mismanagement plague several existing sites.
  • Greater attention is needed on intangible heritage, such as languages, music, and tribal practices.

Conclusion

The Modi era has been a turning point in India’s global cultural representation. The addition of 14 new UNESCO World Heritage Sites in just over a decade signals not just a numerical achievement but a philosophical one—a renewed commitment to celebrating India’s ancient wisdom, regional glory, and living traditions.

While the journey continues, India’s growing heritage list strengthens its position as one of the world’s most historically rich civilizations, and with sustained effort, many more sites—from Varanasi to Aranmula, from Sarnath to Majuli—are waiting in line to take their place on the world stage.

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