📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Merikanto
National
Haryana seeks UNESCO World Heritage tag for ancient Rakhigarhi site
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 20 Oct 2026, 09:46 AM
👁 21
The Haryana government has formally urged UNESCO to grant world heritage status to Rakhigarhi, one of the world’s oldest known settlements.
New Delhi – The state of Haryana has moved to secure UNESCO World Heritage recognition for Rakhigarhi, an archaeological site in Hisar district that dates back to the early phases of the Indus Valley Civilization. Officials say the settlement, spanning over 350 hectares, is among the largest and oldest known urban centers in the world, offering unparalleled insight into prehistoric human life.
The Haryana Department of Archaeology and Museums has prepared a detailed nomination dossier, citing extensive excavations, well‑preserved artifacts, and ongoing research collaborations with international scholars. The file was submitted to the Ministry of Culture, which will forward it to UNESCO for preliminary evaluation later this year.
State authorities anticipate that a UNESCO listing would boost heritage tourism, generate employment in surrounding villages, and provide additional funding for site conservation. They also stress that international recognition would help protect the fragile remains from encroachment and illicit trafficking.
If approved, Rakhigarhi would join a short list of Indian sites such as Ajanta, Ellora and Hampi that enjoy World Heritage status, reinforcing the country’s rich archaeological legacy on the global stage.
The Haryana Department of Archaeology and Museums has prepared a detailed nomination dossier, citing extensive excavations, well‑preserved artifacts, and ongoing research collaborations with international scholars. The file was submitted to the Ministry of Culture, which will forward it to UNESCO for preliminary evaluation later this year.
State authorities anticipate that a UNESCO listing would boost heritage tourism, generate employment in surrounding villages, and provide additional funding for site conservation. They also stress that international recognition would help protect the fragile remains from encroachment and illicit trafficking.
If approved, Rakhigarhi would join a short list of Indian sites such as Ajanta, Ellora and Hampi that enjoy World Heritage status, reinforcing the country’s rich archaeological legacy on the global stage.