Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, the best preserved of India's historic observatories
Background
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010 under criteria (iii) and (iv). It was built in the early 18th century by Prince Jai Singh II. It has about 20 main fixed instruments designed for observing astronomical positions with the naked eye. UNESCO calls it the most significant, most comprehensive and best preserved of India's historic observatories. The property covers 1.8652 hectares with a buffer zone of 14.6664 hectares.
Inscribed:
2010
Builder:
Prince Jai Singh II
Main fixed instruments:
About 20
Criteria:
(iii), (iv)
Why it matters for exams: Builders, dates and inscription years of Indian World Heritage monuments are standard art-and-culture questions.
UPSCSSC