Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Union Minister for Culture, yesterday unveiled the Brass Plate World Heritage Plaque at the Chittaurgarh Fort, Rajasthan and released brochures on the Fort in Hindi & English. Chittaurgarh Fort is one of the six hill forts of Rajasthan recently inscribed in the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. The selection was approved in June 2013 in the 37th Session of the Committee. The Union Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Girija Vyas was also present on the occasion as a distinguished guest. Both the Ministers also jointly inaugurated the restored topkhana and a photo exhibition in kumbha palace on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Katoch listed the efforts of her Ministry for inscribing 6 hill forts of Rajasthan on the World Heritage List. She said, the Hill Forts of Rajasthan was a serial nomination consisting of six sites located on rocky outcrops of the Aravalli mountain range. They represent Rajput military hill architecture, which are exceptional examples of centres of Rajput power and control, are reflections of courtly culture and patronage of arts and music, their mercantile business, etc. The structural remains/ruins range from 8th to 19th century A.D. and comprises multi-gated approaches through massive and high fortification walls, palaces, temples, memorials and water reservoirs. The extensive fortifications – up to 20 kilometres in circumference – exploit the contours of the hills, and specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forest at Ranthambhore, and the desert at Jaisalmer.
She also lauded the people of Rajasthan for preserving rich cultural heritage of the country for centuries and said, both the international and domestic tourists always list Rajasthan as their preferred destination.
