The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in Paris has submitted the nomination of Vadnagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hometown in Gujarat, for a preliminary review by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The move came on the Prime Minister’s birthday on Wednesday.

India’s Permanent Ambassador to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma, pointed out the ancient legacy of the town. “On this special occasion, we extend our warm birthday wishes to him,” Sharma said, adding that Vadnagar’s history stretches back nearly 3,000 years, to around 800–900 BCE.

The nomination begins the first stage of UNESCO’s two-step process. In this stage, Vadnagar will be assessed for its “Outstanding Universal Value,” cultural importance, and whether it has strong protection and management systems. If successful, it can move forward for formal inscription on the World Heritage List.

Currently, India has 69 sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List, including the Temples at Bishnupur in West Bengal, Mughal Gardens in Kashmir, and Odisha’s Ekamra Kshetra, many of which are still awaiting review.

Vadnagar, located in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, has been continuously inhabited for about 2,700 years. Excavations by the state’s Directorate of Archaeology and the Archaeological Survey of India showed seven cultural phases, ranging from pre-2nd century BCE to the 19th century CE.

The town once stood at the crossroads of major ancient trade routes, linking central India to Sindh and the northwest, while also connecting Gujarat’s ports with northern India.

Discoveries in Vadnagar point to its long-standing trade connections with West Asia and the Mediterranean. Artefacts include Mesopotamian jars, Roman coin impressions, Greco-Indian coin moulds, Mamluk gold coins, shell bangles, cowry shells from the Maldives, and Indo-Pacific beads.

Built around Sharmishtha Lake, the town still preserves its medieval fort walls and gateways. Excavations have also uncovered Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and old industrial areas, reflecting its role as a fortified settlement, trading hub, and religious centre through the centuries.