Maratha Military Landscapes Inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List

GS1 – Art & Culture

Context:

India’s official nomination for the 2024–25 cycle, “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee. With this inclusion, India now has 44 World Heritage Sites.

World Heritage Sites in India – Snapshot

• Total Sites: 44
  • Cultural: 36
  • Natural: 7
  • Mixed: 1
• In 2023, the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam were inscribed during the 46th Session in New Delhi.
• India ranks:
  • 6th globally
  • 2nd in the Asia-Pacific Region in the number of World Heritage Sites.

Maratha Military Landscapes of India

Overview:

The Maratha Military Landscapes consist of a network of 12 forts showcasing the military prowess, architectural innovation, and adaptive strategies of the Maratha Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries CE.

• States Covered:
  • Maharashtra (11 forts): Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg.
  • Tamil Nadu (1 fort): Gingee Fort.
• These forts represent:
  • Living heritage
  • Architectural excellence
  • Strategic military planning
  • Regional fortification techniques
• Protected by ASI: Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort.

Key Forts and Their Features:

Fort	Key Highlights
Raigad Fort	– Coronation site of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1674. – Became the permanent capital of the Maratha Empire in 1662. – Served as the administrative and judicial centre.
Rajgad Fort	– First capital under Shivaji for 26 years. – Retained by Shivaji after the Treaty of Purandar (1665).
Shivneri Fort	– Birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. – Controlled ancient trade routes, earlier ruled by Bahmani and Ahmednagar Sultanates.
Pratapgad Fort	– Built in 1656 by Shivaji with guidance from Moropant Trimbak Pingle. – Site of the Battle of Pratapgad (1659) against Afzal Khan.
Salher Fort	– Highest fort in the Sahyadris and second highest peak in Maharashtra. – Site of the Battle of Salher (1672) against the Mughals.
Lohgad Fort	– Known for strong defences. – Withstood 13 British assaults during the 1805 Siege of Bharatpur.
Suvarnadurg Fort	– Located on an island in the Arabian Sea, Ratnagiri district. – Key naval base during Kanhoji Angre’s era.
Panhala Fort	– Originally built in the 12th century by the Shilahara dynasty. – Captured by Shivaji in 1659. – Site of Battle of Pavan Khind (1660).
Vijaydurg Fort	– Built by Raja Bhoj, expanded by Shivaji. – Strategic naval base to guard the western coastline.
Sindhudurg Fort	– Built in 1668 by Shivaji on Kurte Island. – Known for hidden entrances and deceptive defences.
Khanderi Fort	– Also known as Kanhoji Angre Island. – A sea fort off the Konkan Coast, part of the naval defence system.
Gingee Fort	– Located in Tamil Nadu; also called Senji Fort or “Troy of the East”. – Built in 1200 CE by Ananta Kon. – Captured by Shivaji in 1677; lost to the Mughals in 1698.