Why the inclusion of Maratha military forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the UNESCO World Heritage List matters
Maratha Military Landscapes
of India' was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in Paris. This marks the 44th Indian entry to the prestigious list.
"'
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," UNESCO announced in a post on X. The forts, which span a variety of terrains—including coastal regions, hills, plateaus, and islands—form a cohesive military landscape that reflects the strategic acumen and architectural innovation of the Maratha Empire.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the twelve forts represent different types of geographical settings: Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are hill forts; Pratapgad is a hill-forest fort; Panhala is a hill-plateau fort; Vijaydurg is a coastal fort; and Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and
Sindhudurg
are classified as island forts.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You
Mobility Scooter | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
Which forts are joining the list
The Maratha Military Landscapes include twelve strategically positioned forts, each representing a unique blend of military architecture, regional adaptation, and historical significance across diverse terrains.
Live Events
Salher Fort
in Maharashtra stands amid the Sahyadri mountain ranges and is renowned for its historic fortifications and sweeping views. It reflects the Marathas' military resilience and geographical command.
Shivneri Fort, near Junnar in Maharashtra, is historically significant as the birthplace of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
. Positioned atop a hill, the fort's commanding architecture and heritage value make it a symbol of Maratha pride.
Lohagad Fort, located near Pune in the Western Ghats, is known for its robust construction and scenic vistas. Historically used for military campaigns, it remains a popular site for both history enthusiasts and trekkers.
Khanderi Fort, an island fort in the Arabian Sea, exemplifies maritime defense strategies of the Maratha era. Its blend of historical significance and coastal scenery makes it a notable part of the military landscape.
Raigad Fort served as the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's empire. Nestled in the Sahyadris, it is celebrated for its strategic importance and imposing architecture.
Rajgad Fort, also in the Western Ghats, was one of the earliest capitals of the Maratha Empire. Its design and natural setting reflect the empire's defensive capabilities and cultural depth.
Pratapgad Fort is remembered for the historic Battle of Pratapgad. Set in the wooded hills of the Western Ghats, it is an example of how terrain and fortification were merged in Maratha strategy.
Suvarnadurg Fort, off the Konkan coast, was a crucial naval base. Surrounded by sea, it displays the Maratha Empire's maritime engineering capabilities.
Panhala Fort, set on a plateaued hill in the Sahyadri range, is known for its expansive views and significant role in Maratha military history.
Vijaydurg Fort, located on the Konkan coast, is one of the best-preserved sea forts. Its positioning and architecture highlight the naval strength of the Marathas.
Sindhudurg Fort, another island fort in the Arabian Sea, was built under the direction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It features unique construction techniques and played a major role in coastal defense.
Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu, the only fort in the list outside Maharashtra, is noted for its massive stone structures and strategic hilltop placement. It played a vital role under various dynasties and is a rare example of southern Indian military architecture included in the Maratha landscape nomination.
India's standing on the World Heritage List
With this addition, India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacific region for the number of World Heritage Sites. Last year, the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam were added to the list at the 46th session held in New Delhi.
According to PIB, India also has 62 sites on the Tentative List, a necessary prerequisite for future nominations. Under the rules of the World Heritage Convention, ratified by 196 nations since 1972, each country may propose only one site per year for inscription.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the designated nodal agency handling all matters related to World Heritage nominations on behalf of the Government of India.
Other global inscriptions announced
Other sites inscribed during the 47th session include the Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection; Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park in Selangor; and the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Goa urges Centre to liberalise airline agreements to boost tourism, ET Infra
Advt With international tourist arrivals yet to recover, Goa govt has requested the civil aviation ministry to bring in reforms, including a relaxation in the bilateral agreements for foreign airlines. Goa is advocating for a more liberal open skies policy for tourism states that are traditionally dependent on inbound govt has asked the Centre to encourage international airlines and Indian carriers to increase direct connectivity between Goa and European cities."If we are serious about unlocking India's tourism potential, we must look at the open skies policy not just for metros but for tourism-driven secondary hubs. If Goa is to be part of India's tourism engine, we need to be part of India's aviation reform agenda," said tourism minister Rohan handles about 160 flights per day, with a very small percentage being international flights. The state has also seen a significant reduction in charter flights after the pandemic, though the decline began much before that. Last year, Goa had close to 10 million travellers, but almost 9.5 million were domestic travellers, and only half a million came from international worrying sign has prompted state govt to call for reforms and innovation in civil aviation. Chief minister Pramod Sawant and Khaunte have conveyed Goa's concerns to the Centre."A recalibration of bilaterals, opening the door for long-haul connectivity to the EU, UK, and the Nordic region - Goa's winter sun markets - and strategic engagement with West Asian hubs that can serve as aviation bridges," said Khaunte.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
‘Ashamed' Indian man's post on Kuala Lumpur goes viral: ‘No potholes, top class civic sense, clean air...'
Like most Indians, this man was sure that India was developed enough and looked down upon those who chose to settle abroad. However, after a fine trip to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, the man was stunned by how organised the city was, without potholes and immense civic sense, and said he was 'ashamed' by the condition of Indian cities. In a now-viral Reddit post, an Indian tourist shared his disbelief about the sheer difference in the availability of basic amenities in the two countries and said that Indians have given up on their governments. In a fairly lengthy post, the man shared that he went on an unplanned vacation to Malaysia after having to cancel his Vietnam trip due to heavy rains. '…and to be frank, we had very low expectations,' he said. However, upon landing in Kuala Lumpur, the Indian tourist had a compete change of heart: 'God oh my, I have always advocated against the Idea of Indians settling abroad but suddenly I felt bad for those foreigners who visit India for vacations or the NRIs who have to return India due to various reasons.' 'The KL city looked very well planned and organised, no potholes on roads, no politicians' photos or banners, cleanliness everywhere, top-class civic sense, great quality of life, clean air and helpful people,' the post read. He then shared that he was ashamed that Indians are too distracted by petty issues while the world around is developing. 'I'm ashamed because we have kind of given up on our government bodies and maintain very low expectations. Even though we have all the resources and the potential to be great, we struggle for basic amenities,' he wrote in the viral post. 'We are too distracted among ourselves over petty issues and find happiness and joy in our IPL or T20 wins, worshipping celebrities or are busy celebrating our favourite politician and never holding them accountable,' he added. Disheartened, the man said, 'Don't wanna be all negative but honestly, I have kind of lost hope and seeing the present circumstances, the goal looks very far away.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No more shoe checks: TSA updates airport screening rules; what flyers need to know
The United States has officially ended the long-standing requirement to remove shoes during airport security checks. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced this recently that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would no longer require passengers to take off their footwear at checkpoints, a policy that had been in place since 2006. 'I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process,' said Noem, speaking at a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Why the shoe rule was introduced The 'shoe rule' traces its roots back to a chilling incident in December 2001, when Richard Reid, later dubbed the 'shoe bomber,' attempted to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. He tried to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes mid-flight. Thanks to alert passengers and crew, the attack was foiled, and the aircraft landed safely in Boston. Although the attack failed, it prompted the TSA to enforce stricter screening protocols. By 2006, removing shoes became mandatory for all passengers aged 12 to 75 as part of the screening process. Shoes were scanned alongside carry-on items to detect concealed explosives. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo by Taboola by Taboola Read more: What's the difference between a passport and a visa? Explained simply What's changing now? With advancements in security technology and the implementation of a more 'layered' approach to threat detection, the TSA believes the rule is no longer necessary for all passengers. 'Our security technology has changed dramatically. It's evolved,' said Noem. 'We have a multilayered, whole-of-government approach now.' The change, which takes effect immediately, applies across all U.S. airports. However, authorities clarified that passengers may still be asked to remove shoes on a case-by-case basis if additional screening is deemed necessary. Will it help travellers? The most immediate benefit is a faster and more convenient screening process. For years, removing shoes was seen as one of the most annoying, and time-consuming, parts of airport security. Passengers had to juggle their carry-ons, personal items, and sometimes children, while also struggling to take off and put on shoes in crowded lines. Eliminating this step, especially for families, elderly passengers, and those with disabilities, will significantly ease the stress during airport security. The new policy is expected to reduce wait times, improve passenger flow, and make the overall experience less invasive. TSA PreCheck still offers advantages While the no-shoes rule has been lifted for standard screenings, TSA PreCheck, a trusted traveller programme that allows expedited screening for pre-approved passengers, continues to offer other perks. Members don't have to remove belts, light jackets, or laptops from their bags. PreCheck costs around $80 for five years and remains the preferred option for frequent flyers. For now, regular passengers will still have to place items like laptops, liquids, and coats on the conveyor belt for scanning. Read more: 'Welcome to Afghanistan': Viral tourism video sparks debate over Taliban-era travel What's next in airport screening? Secretary Noem hinted at broader reforms on the horizon. 'TSA plans to review other rules and procedures to see how airport screenings can be simplified and expedited,' she said. The agency is experimenting with separate lanes for military personnel and families with young children and is expected to pilot additional changes in the coming months. In recent years, TSA has also introduced facial recognition technology and Real ID requirements as part of its effort to modernise passenger identification and boost security without causing unnecessary friction. While removing shoes may seem like a minor issue, it has long been symbolic of the post-9/11 security landscape. The end of this rule marks a subtle shift toward a more passenger-friendly experience, one that balances efficiency with vigilance.
