The Culture Ministry has chosen ‘Maratha Military Landscapes,’ an emblem of the formidable fortifications and military strategies devised by Maratha rulers, as Bharat’s contender for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2024-25 cycle.
Comprising 12 distinct components spanning Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, including Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, and others, this nomination epitomizes the strategic prowess of the Maratha Empire across varied terrains.
These military landscapes, developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, stand as a testament to the visionary fortification systems conceived by Maratha rulers. It integrated the diverse landscapes of the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats.
Initially listed in UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2021, the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ nomination underscores the distinctive cultural heritage intertwined with the region’s historical evolution.
Out of Maharashtra’s extensive roster of 390 forts, only 12 have been selected under this nomination, with eight under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India or ASI and the rest under the Maharashtra Government’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums.
Diverse in their topographical settings, these forts range from hill forts like Shivneri and Rajgad to coastal strongholds such as Vijaydurg, exemplifying the strategic adaptability of Maratha military architecture.
The genesis of Maratha military doctrine traces back to the 17th century under the reign of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, enduring through subsequent rulers until the Peshwa rule’s conclusion in 1818.
Bharat presently boasts 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with Maharashtra home to six, including iconic landmarks like Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the Western Ghats.
The nomination of ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ aligns with UNESCO’s criteria, particularly under criteria iii, iv, and vi.
