Historical monuments

- By Anshul Sharma XI A 26TH JULY 1O

Heritage of India
 The roots of Indian civilization stretch back in time to pre-recorded history. The earliest human activity in the Indian sub-continent can be traced back to the Early, Middle and Late Stone Ages through 400,000200,000 BC. Each one of these heritages of India reflects the influence of prevailing cultures. Nevertheless today its medical, scientific and philosophical heritage has made a mark of its own in the world. While some of this heritage is well documented and commonly known, much of it still needs to be unveiled. The cultural heritage of India has its roots in the different components of culture i.e. musical heritage, dances, sculpturing and other fine arts, festivities, languages spoken, traditional beliefs and customs, food and many more like these. It is the development in these aspects of life that makes the heritage of India one of the most vibrant and most exhaustive.

IMPORTANCE OF HERITAGE
 The past is all around us. We live our lives against a rich backdrop formed by historic buildings, landscapes and other physical survivals of our past. But the historic environment is more than just a matter of material remains. It is central to how we see ourselves and to our identity as individuals, communities and as a nation. It is a physical record of what our country is and how it came to be. Building materials and styles can define regions localities and communities. Historic landscapes or iconic buildings can become a focus of community identity and pride. At a more local level a historic church or park can help define a neighborhood and create a sense of local cohesion.  The importance that we attach to our heritage is growing each year, and that is why events such as Heritage Open Days are so important in enabling people to access their local, regional and national heritage. We encourage you to take this unique opportunity to visit, tour and experience the buildings and streets on your doorstep and learn a little about the rich heritage of the region in the process.

Christ the Redeemer is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world . The statue is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 meter (31 feet) pedestal, and 30 metres (98 ft) wide. It weighs 635 tons (700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700 metres (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city.

 In which year it was built? what is its significance?  It was constructed between 1922 and 1931.It is a symbol of Christianity and has become an icon of Rio and Brazil.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base.

 What is the most remarkable property of this structure?  The accuracy of the pyramid's workmanship is such that the four sides of the base have an average error of only 58 millimeters long.

The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre , is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. , its construction started between 70 and 72 AD[1] under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus .

What does Colosseum signifies? why Colosseum seems partially ruined today? Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. In the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers.

The Eiffel Tower is an 1889 iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower, which is the tallest building in Paris, is the single most visited paid monument in the world . The tower stands 324 m (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. It was the tallest manmade structure in the world from its completion until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

 When this structure was built? Until the beginning of 20th century Eiffel tower was used for?  The structure was built between 1887 and 1889. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the tower has been used for radio transmission.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal means "crown of buildings" in Urdu. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Islamic, Indian and Persian architectural styles. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture.

Now days we can see yellow patches on this monument. Why is it so? It is because of acid rains, nowadays some content of sulphuric acid is mixed with rain water which result in the formation of yellow patches on Taj.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa or simply the Tower of Pisa is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square after the Cathedral and the Baptistry. he height of the tower is 55.86 m (183.27 ft) from the ground on the lowest side and 56.70 m (186.02 ft) on the highest side. The width of the walls at the base is 4.09 m (13.42 ft) and at the top 2.48 m (8.14 ft). Its weight is estimated at 14,500 metric tons (16,000 short tons). The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase.

 why tower of Pisa leans at one side? In which direction tower of Pisa is leaning?  The tower began to sink after construction had progressed to the third floor in 1178. This was due to a mere three-metre foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil, thats why the tower leans at one side. Tower of Pisa is leaning in southward direction.

Machu Picchu is a preColumbian Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor . Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

 When Machu Picchu was declared as Peruvian historical sanctuary ?  Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota in the United States. Mount Rushmore features 60-foot sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The entire memorial covers 1,278.45 acres (5.17 km2) and is 5,725 feet (1,745 m) above sea level.

 Why Mount Rushmore national memorial was built?  Between October 4, 1927, and October 31, 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers sculpted the colossal 60-foot (18 m) carvings of U.S. presidentsGeorge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150 years of American history.

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has recently concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km

 What makes The Great Wall of China different from other ancient structures?  This structure is enough vast that it can be seen easily from space. This is the most nexus fact about The Great Wall of China.