Shantiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as announced by UNESCO on September 18, 2023. The decision to include Shantiniketan in the UNESCO World Heritage list was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Saudi Arabia.
- Shantiniketan was established in 1901 by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the father of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India.
- Shantiniketan was originally founded as a residential school and an art center, based on ancient Indian traditions and the idea of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries.
- In 1921, it evolved into a ‘world university’ known as “Visva Bharati,” emphasizing the unity of humanity.
- Shantiniketan’s architectural style is distinct from the British colonial and European modernist trends of the early 20th century. Instead, it represents a pan-Asian modernity, drawing inspiration from ancient, medieval, and folk traditions across the region.
Q.: Who founded Shantiniketan?
a) Jawaharlal Nehru
b) Mahatma Gandhi
c) Rabindranath Tagore
d) Sardar Patel
Ans : c) Rabindranath Tagore
