UNESCO declares Ahmedabad as India’s first world heritage city

Ahmedabad, July 9

More than 600-year-old walled city of Ahmedabad, believed to be founded by Ahmed Shah, has been declared as India’s first world heritage city by UNESCO. 

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"Just inscribed as UNESCO world heritage site: Historic city of Ahmedabad #India", UNESCO said in a tweet last night.

Just inscribed as @UNESCO #WorldHeritage Site: Historic City of Ahmadabad #India https://t.co/ztbb8RIMiZ #41whc pic.twitter.com/iRIMoQfAtK

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) July 8, 2017

Ahmedabad was in the race for the prestigious title along with Delhi and Mumbai.

The walled city of Ahmedabad believed to be founded by Ahmed Shah some 600 years ago has 26 ASI-protected structures, hundreds of 'pols' that capture the essence of community living and numerous sites associated with Mahatma Gandhi who lived here from 1915 to 1930.

In 1984, the first study for conserving heritage structures was carried out in the city. A heritage cell was also set up by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

The city had featured in UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage cities on March 31, 2011. The secular co-existence of Islamic, Hindu and Jain communities along with exemplary architecture of wooden havelis got unanimous support.

Now, Ahmedabad will join the world heritage cities like Paris, Cairo and Edinburgh. Out of total 287 world heritage cities across the globe, there were only two cities in the Indian subcontinent — Bhaktpur in Nepal and Galle in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and BJP president Amit Shah have hailed the declaration of Ahmedabad as world heritage city by UNESCO.

Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said, “A matter of immense joy for India!” Expressing delight at the announcement, Rupani said in a tweet, "Thrilled to learn that Ahmedabad has been recognised as UNESCO World heritage city, first of its kind in India". "Delighted to know that UNESCO has declared Ahmedabad as World Heritage City. Proud moment for every Indian," the BJP national president said in a tweet. — Agencies