The Maratha Military Landscapes, representing extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, on Friday was recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage list by the World Heritage Committee.
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," UNESCO said.
The nomination, submitted for the 2024–25 cycle, highlights 12 fortified sites that exemplify the strategic ingenuity and military architecture of the Maratha Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries.
The selected sites include Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, as well as Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
“These forts represent extraordinary examples of military engineering, strategic geographic adaptation, and indigenous construction techniques,” the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said in a statement on X, calling it a proud moment for the country.
The forts span diverse geographical terrains from coastal outposts to hilltop bastions demonstrating the Marathas' advanced understanding of terrain specific military architecture.
UNESCO also celebrated the inscription, calling the Maratha fort network an exceptional cultural testimony to India’s historical defence strategies.
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