Heritage & Environment

Which states have the most World Heritage Sites?

Maharashtra leads with 6 sites on our map; Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have 4 each. A state-wise count of all 44.

UPSCPrep.in team · · 1 min read
Map of India shading each state by its number of World Heritage Sites, darkest amber for Maharashtra

Our map shows 44 World Heritage Sites in India, spread over 19 states and union territories. Some sites, like the Western Ghats and the Mountain Railways of India, cross state lines and count for each state they touch.

World Heritage Sites by state (sites on our map)
  1. 1MaharashtraVictorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, Maratha Military Landscapes, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus6
  2. 2GujaratChampaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Historic City of Ahmadabad, Dholavira: a Harappan City, Rani-ki-Vav, Patan4
  3. 3RajasthanJantar Mantar, Jaipur, Jaipur City, Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Keoladeo National Park4
  4. 4Tamil NaduWestern Ghats, Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Great Living Chola Temples, Mountain Railways of India4
  5. 5AssamMoidams of the Ahom Dynasty, Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary3
  6. 6DelhiRed Fort Complex, Humayun's Tomb, Qutb Minar and its Monuments3
  7. 7KarnatakaSacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Group of Monuments at Hampi3
  8. 8Madhya PradeshKhajuraho Group of Monuments, Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka3
  9. 9Uttar PradeshAgra Fort, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri3
  10. 10West BengalSantiniketan, Sundarbans National Park, Mountain Railways of India3

Source: UPSCPrep Data Atlas

The leaders

Maharashtra has 6: the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai and the Maratha Military Landscapes. Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have 4 each. Assam, Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have 3 each.

A sample of sites from the leading states

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India map in the official boundary; positions are for orientation · Source: UPSCPrep Data Atlas

UPSC angle

  • Sort sites as cultural, natural or mixed.
  • Recent additions are frequent current-affairs material.
  • World Heritage Sites appear in 23 Prelims questions in our bank.
#Art and culture#Map work#World Heritage

Places in this post

Ajanta CavesEllora CavesElephanta CavesRani-ki-Vav, PatanKeoladeo National ParkGroup of Monuments at MahabalipuramKaziranga National ParkRed Fort ComplexGroup of Monuments at HampiTaj MahalAjanta

Related lessons

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