In a landmark move during UNESCO’s 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris, India celebrated the inscription of “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”—twelve historic forts linked to Maratha rulers—as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This marks India’s 44th cultural site recognized on the prestigious list and a proud nod to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
📌 What’s Included in the Listing
g
The heritage designation covers iconic forts such as:
-
Raigad
-
Shivneri
-
Pratapgad
-
Rajgad
-
Sindhudurg
-
Panhala
-
Suvarnadurg
-
Lohagad
-
Khanderi
-
Vijaydurg
-
Salher
-
Gingee (Tamil Nadu)
Each fortress exemplifies the strategic military architecture and hilltop defense systems developed during the Maratha Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries.
⚖️ Why It Matters
-
These forts represent military innovation and regional unity across diverse landscapes like Sahyadri, Deccan Plateau, Konkan Coast, and Eastern Ghats.
-
Their inclusion under the World Heritage Convention ensures better conservation funding, scholarly attention, and tourist promotion—reviving interest in India’s martial past.
-
This round brings India’s total to 44 cultural World Heritage sites, strengthening its global cultural standing.
🏛️ From Tentative List to Final Inscription
India first proposed the sites as a UNESCO tentative nomination in 2021. However, initial feedback from ICOMOS (the advisory board) suggested consolidating the spread-out forts into a more cohesive structure.
After detailed reviews and technical presentations—including Maharashtra’s delegation led by Culture Minister Ashish Shelar—the committee gave the nod earlier this month.
