Following the successful inclusion of Diwali in the intangible heritage list, efforts have now shifted towards securing UNESCO World Heritage status for Sarnath under the tangible heritage category.
The Proposal And Timeline
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted a dossier to UNESCO for the 2025-26 nomination cycle, proposing the Sarnath monument complex as a World Heritage Site.
Inspection: A UNESCO team visited and inspected Sarnath at the end of September. They held meetings with local bodies, the district administration, and other agencies to discuss future development plans and have since submitted a comprehensive report.
Next Steps: A senior ASI official stated that UNESCO is expected to clarify the situation in May, based on its team's report.
Final Decision: A decision will be made during the UNESCO meeting scheduled for June-July next year. Sarnath is the solitary proposal from India for this cycle, and officials are optimistic about its inclusion.
Historical Corrections: Reclaiming Credit
Prior to the UNESCO inspection, the ASI undertook significant efforts to improve the monument complex, including a major revision of historical records displayed on-site.
The Change: Previously, plaques credited British explorers for the historical evidence found during excavations. New plaques now credit Babu Jagat Singh, an 18th-century zamindar of Kashi associated with the Banaras royal family.
The Evidence: Dr YS Rawat, Director-General of the ASI, explained that incorrect information had been carried forward since the British era. Extensive research into archives, gazetteers, and museum records confirmed that the initial excavations revealing the historical truth of Sarnath were carried out by Babu Jagat Singh.
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Significance Of Sarnath
Sarnath is one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites, alongside Bodh Gaya, Lumbini, and Kushinagar. Its historical and cultural importance is immense:
Birth of the Sangha: It was here that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dharma Chakra Pravartana) after attaining enlightenment, marking the establishment of the Buddhist Sangha and the beginning of the religion's propagation.
Centre of Art: It was a major centre of art and religion during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.
National Emblem: The site is the source of India’s national emblem. The Ashoka Pillar, built around 250 BCE and discovered by the ASI during excavations in 1904-05, features the four lions, the Dharma Chakra, and the motto "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs).
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