Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO : 1. Shantiniketan 2. Rani-ki-Vav 3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya How many of the above properties were included in 2023 ?

Defines what a World Heritage Site is and that sites are inscribed on a UNESCO list under the 1972 Convention.

A student can use this to recognise that any claim about inscription (e.g., Rani-ki-Vav in 2023) should be verifiable against UNESCO's official list or the convention's records.

Reinforces the definition that World Heritage Sites are inscribed on UNESCO's list and designated for outstanding universal value.

Use this rule to narrow verification to UNESCO inscriptions (not other 'lists' or recognitions) when checking a 2023 inscription claim.

Gives an example of a UNESCO inscription with a specific committee meeting date (Western Ghats at St. Petersburg, 1 July 2012).

A student can infer that inscriptions are tied to World Heritage Committee meetings and could check the committee's 2023 meeting records to confirm if Rani-ki-Vav was added then.

Provides an example of an Indian site (Ellora caves) and the year it was designated (1983), showing textbooks list inscription years for sites.

This pattern suggests consulting authoritative lists or educational sources that record inscription years to test if Rani-ki-Vav appears with a 2023 year.

Shows another Indian example (Hampi) with its UNESCO inscription year (1986), illustrating that inscriptions are documented year-by-year in reference works.

A student can extend this by looking up reference compilations or UNESCO records for the specific year 2023 to see if Rani-ki-Vav is listed.

Gives a clear definition of 'World Heritage Sites' as sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and that they are designated for outstanding universal value (cultural or natural).

A student could use this to understand that the Hoysalas' 'Sacred Ensembles'—a cultural monument—would qualify for inscription under these criteria and then check UNESCO records for its inscription date.

Provides an example of an Indian cultural site (Hampi) with its inscription year (1986), illustrating that Indian temple/archaeological ensembles are the type of places UNESCO lists and that inscription years vary widely.

Use this pattern (Indian cultural ensembles are listed, with explicit inscription years) to look up the specific inscription year for the Hoysala ensembles on UNESCO's catalog or timeline.

Lists several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans), showing that authoritative lists of Indian WH sites are maintained in reference texts.

A student could consult similar lists or the UNESCO site index to see whether the Hoysala ensembles appear and note the year of inscription (e.g., whether 2023).

Notes that UNESCO inscribes not only places but also 'intangible heritage' (example: Kumbh Mela), showing UNESCO's scope includes diverse heritage types.

This indicates one should verify whether the Hoysala entry, if present, is a cultural (tangible) inscription and check the specific inscription year on UNESCO records.

Provides a direct web link (UNESCO interactive map) as a source where UNESCO inscriptions and their dates can be checked.

A student could use that UNESCO interactive map or site database to search for 'Hoysala' or 'Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas' to confirm if and when it was inscribed (and specifically whether in 2023).

Identifies the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodh Gaya as an important Buddhist pilgrimage site receiving millions of visitors, highlighting its cultural significance.

A student could take this cultural importance as a reason to check UNESCO's list (or historical listings) for whether such high‑value sites are/are not inscribed and when.

Shows that major ancient Buddhist sites in the same region (e.g., Nalanda) are explicitly on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Use the precedent that comparable Buddhist heritage sites have been inscribed to hypothesize Mahabodhi's likely inclusion and then verify the inscription date against UNESCO records (to see if 2023 is correct).

Explains the origin and purpose of the UNESCO World Heritage List and that India has listed sites (table referenced), giving context about inscription as a formal committee process.

A student can infer that inclusion is recorded by the World Heritage Committee at specific meetings/years, so they should check committee meeting records or the official list for the year 2023 to confirm Mahabodhi's status.

Gives an example of a specific site (Western Ghats) and the exact committee meeting/date (1 July 2012) when it was inscribed, illustrating that inscriptions occur at identifiable meetings and years.

Apply this pattern by searching UNESCO meeting outcomes for 2023 or earlier years to see if Mahabodhi was inscribed in 2023 or in a prior meeting.

Lists several UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (e.g., Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas), reinforcing that India has multiple inscribed cultural/natural sites.

Given that many Indian sites are listed, a student might reasonably check the comprehensive UNESCO registry (or India‑specific lists) to locate Mahabodhi's inscription entry and date rather than assume 2023.