Where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Navy And Science Converged: Vijaydurg Fort Earns UNESCO Honour
Maharashtra's Vijaydurg Fort, a symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's naval prowess, has gained new global attention. It is recognised not only as an ancient sea fortress but also as the site where helium was discovered—a legacy now proudly on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
At the recent 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris, Vijaydurg joined twelve other Indian forts acknowledged for their historical and scientific importance. Situated at the mouth of the Vaghotan River in Sindhudurg district, Vijaydurg's significance extends beyond its formidable triple-layered sea walls and bastions.
While many forts highlight royal battles and architectural brilliance, Vijaydurg holds a unique place in scientific history. Historians note that during the total solar eclipse of 1898, French astronomers Pierre Janssen and Joseph Norman Lockyer set up camp at this coastal fort, considering it the closest point on Earth to the Sun during the eclipse. Using spectroscopes, they observed the Sun's atmosphere from specially constructed telescope platforms within the fort. Their efforts led to the discovery of helium, now the second-most abundant element in the universe.
Hirlekar further commented, 'Vijaydurg Fort is not just a marvel of military architecture but a living testament to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's visionary leadership, maritime foresight, and scientific legacy. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List is a matter of pride for Maharashtra and an acknowledgement of India's glorious and enduring heritage on the global stage."
Beyond its scientific significance, Vijaydurg Fort remains a stunning example of Shivaji Maharaj's foresight in coastal defence. With its triple-layered fortifications, 27 bastions, and ingenious sea-facing walls, it stands as a tribute to India's maritime legacy. Its hidden underwater sea wall, which once sank enemy ships, continues to intrigue historians and divers alike. The addition of Vijaydurg to the UNESCO World Heritage list is a moment of immense pride for the people of Sindhudurg and Maharashtra. It is a reminder that some places do not only guard history—they quietly give birth to discoveries that change our understanding of the universe.
view comments
First Published:
July 23, 2025, 02:16 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
DTU welcomes new batch with orientation-cum-induction ceremony
New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Delhi Technological University (DTU) on Monday held its annual orientation-cum-induction programme for the incoming undergraduate batch. Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood joined the event virtually as the Chief Guest, a DTU statement said. Sood, in his address, congratulated the new students for gaining admission to one of India's premier technical institutions and encouraged them to not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to society. Calling upon students to participate in Swachhta Abhiyan, the minister emphasised the importance of sustainable urban development and urged students to devise innovative, research-based solutions for Delhi's unique challenges. 'Your journey at DTU should prepare you not just as engineers, but as responsible citizens aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals," he said. The event commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting by the chief guest, Karnal Singh, former chief of the Enforcement Directorate and a 1979 batch alumnus of the erstwhile Delhi College of Engineering (DCE). To mark the occasion, the university launched the 68th edition of DTU Times and premiered a special documentary by DTU Studio, capturing the event's spirit, the statement said. The revised Regulation and Scheme of Teaching and Evaluation Ordinance was also released, it added. PTI MHS MHS AMJ AMJ view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 16:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand@25: Surveyor general Makwana maps India's future on geospatial tech revolution
Surveyor general Makwana maps India's future on geospatial tech revolution In a special episode of Uttarakhand@25, a series by The Times of India celebrating 25 years of the state's journey, IAS officer Hitesh Kumar S Makwana, the surveyor general of India, sheds light on how geospatial technology is shaping India's present and future, with Uttarakhand playing a central role in that mission. Makwana, a 1995-batch IAS officer with an academic background in Civil Engineering, Economics, and Public Policy, brings over three decades of experience across urban governance, disaster management, border security, and housing. He currently heads the Survey of India, the country's national mapping agency. Dehradun's historic role in India's mapping legacy Makwana explained that while the Survey of India was initially established by the British in Kolkata in 1767, the headquarters eventually moved to Dehradun in 1951. The city's climate proved ideal for archiving sensitive mapping materials, and its proximity to institutions like IIT Roorkee provided skilled manpower. "Dehradun's role in the evolution of Indian cartography is immense. Even the original copies of the Constitution of India were printed in our Dehradun press,' he shared. The presence of more than 3,000 Survey of India employees in Dehradun during its peak also made the organisation one of the major employment generators in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does a Bali Vacation Really Cost? Liseer Learn More Undo From traditional maps to real-time data Tracing the evolution of the Survey of India, Makwana described the shift from using manual tools like theodolites and chains to modern technologies such as remote sensing, LiDAR, and drones. Where earlier it took 70–80 years to complete a national map, now, with advanced geospatial tools, large-scale maps can be created in under a decade. These high-resolution maps — from a scale of 1:250,000 down to 1:2,000 — are transforming not just planning but also disaster management and urban development. Makwana highlighted the newly announced National Geospatial Mission, which aims to bring all of this data infrastructure together in a unified system, with Survey of India playing a leading role. Uttarakhand-specific projects: From Char Dham to land reforms When asked about Uttarakhand-specific work, Makwana emphasised several projects. The Survey of India had developed trekking maps of the Char Dham route as far back as the 1950s. In recent times, it has carried out aerial surveys of the Ganga basin for flood modelling under the National Hydrology Project and created comprehensive land-use maps for the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Additionally, under the Swamitva scheme, a drone-based survey was conducted in 7,000 villages of Uttarakhand to help residents receive digital land ownership records. This work is being extended to urban areas through the NAXA project, where four towns in the state have been selected for detailed geospatial surveys. Supporting urban planning and disaster preparedness Makwana explained how Survey of India data supports vital decision-making for roads, flood prevention, satellite launches, and more. 'Even ISRO needs to come to us to determine true north before launching a satellite,' he noted. The same data is now being used to predict landslides, monitor land subsidence, and address urban flooding by identifying vulnerable low-lying zones. This allows planners to design better drainage and locate green spaces strategically. Training the next generation To build future capacity, the Survey of India is training Uttarakhand's government staff, while collaborating with institutes like the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in Dehradun. A certification programme for private citizens is also in the pipeline. Makwana stressed that the role of AI and Machine Learning in analysing massive geospatial datasets is set to expand — but the real challenge lies in training personnel to use these tools effectively. Message to the youth of Uttarakhand Speaking directly to Uttarakhand's youth, Makwana said, 'Sky is the limit. Geospatial technology is a booming sector. With Dehradun being the headquarters of Survey of India, local youth have a golden opportunity to lead the country in this space.' He closed with a call to action: 'Just as India has become a global leader in software, it is now time for us to become global leaders in geospatial technology — and Uttarakhand can be at the heart of that journey.'
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
NASA to Lose 20% of Workforce Amid Trump Administration Restructuring
Last Updated: About 20% of NASA's workforce will leave the agency as it undergoes restructuring under the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the federal government size. Under major restructuring move, around 20 per cent of the workforce at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to leave the agency, a spokesperson confirmed on Friday. In line with the Trump administration's move to lay off federal employees, NASA's workforce would shrink from over 18,000 employees to around 14,000. Approximately 3,870 NASA employees have opted to leave through the government's Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), though the agency noted the figure may change in the coming weeks as applications are finalized or withdrawn. NASA in an official statement said this is an effort to make the agency more 'streamlined and efficient". 'Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organization and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars," NASA said in a statement. This is the second time that NASA employees are leaving the agency. In June 2025, the first round, initiated shortly after Trump's inauguration, offered a buyout to federal workers, resulting in the voluntary departure of around 870 NASA employees—roughly 4.8 per cent of its workforce at the time. As per a report by Politico, published earlier this month, the Trump administration was reportedly planning to cut at least 2,145 senior ranking NASA employees, most of those equipped with specialised skills and managerial abilities. The report added that the agency had offered the affected staff early retirement, buyouts and deferred resignations. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 15:06 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
