String of Maratha 'military forts' makes Unesco heritage list
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' have been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. This marks India's 44th entry to the list.
The decision was made during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris.
"'Maratha Military Landscapes', representing extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, was on Friday inscribed on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List," the UN body announced in a post on X.
Located across a range of terrains - from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds - these forts reflect a sophisticated understanding of geography and strategic defence planning.
Together, they form a cohesive military landscape that highlights the innovation and regional adaptation of fortification traditions in India.
India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites.
The culture ministry, in a statement, said: "In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' got inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List, becoming India's 44th property to receive this recognition".
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It added: "Spanning from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this extraordinary network of twelve forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire".
Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu constitute its 12 components.
Sites from other countries inscribed on the list include the Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection, Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor, the pre-historic sites of Khorramabad valley in Islamic Republic of Iran.
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