The nomination for UNESCO tag was for the 2024-25 cycle. Its 12 components are - 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
Rajgad Fort (above) is one of the 12 forts inscribed on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List. File Pic
'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.
The decision was taken during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in Paris.
"New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India," UENSCO said in a post on X.
🔴 BREAKING!
— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳 (@UNESCO) July 11, 2025
New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India 🇮🇳.
➡️ https://t.co/seTyyVu3sT #47WHC pic.twitter.com/mEpa6RWLRx
The nomination for UNESCO tag was for the 2024-25 cycle.
Its 12 components are - 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.
These components, distributed across diverse geographical and physiographic regions, showcase the strategic military powers of the Maratha rule, Indian officials had earlier said.
The 'Maratha Military Landscapes' was developed between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Reacting on the development, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wrote on X, "I am extremely happy to share that 12 forts of our greatest King, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has now been included as a 'outstanding universal value'. These Maratha Military Landscapes of India include: 11 forts in Maharashtra -- Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad, Salher, Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg, Suvarnadurg, Khanderi and one fort in Tamil Nadu, Jinji."
Historic! Proud! & Glorious moment!
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 11, 2025
Maharashtra Govt offers Salutations to our beloved Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!!
Heartiest congratulations to all the citizens and ShivBhakts of Maharashtra...
12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj listed on UNESCO World Heritage List!
I… pic.twitter.com/dMYPQxIJSo
The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ were listed among 32 global nominations being evaluated for UNESCO World Heritage status during the ongoing World Heritage Committee (WHC) session, the PTI reported on Friday.
The World Heritage Committee’s 47th session is currently taking place in Paris from July 6 to July 16, with site evaluations scheduled from July 11 to July 13.
According to a senior UNESCO official, this year’s session will also examine proposals to make major changes to the boundaries of two existing World Heritage Sites, as per the PTI.
India’s nomination for the 2024-25 cycle highlights the exceptional military and fortification systems designed by the Maratha rulers. These structures were developed between the 17th and 19th centuries and played a key role in defending their territory, according to the PTI.
The nomination includes 12 forts -- Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Spread across various geographical locations, these forts represent the Marathas’ military strength, planning, and architectural brilliance.
Under UNESCO’s rules, each country can only submit one nomination for a World Heritage Site in each evaluation cycle, as stated in the Operational Guidelines 2023.
(with PTI inputs)
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