Latest news with #MarathaMilitaryLandscapes
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
UNESCO inscribes Maratha Military landscapes as India's 44th Heritage Site
India added another feather to its cultural cap as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The announcement was made on July 12 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, marking a major milestone in recognising the Maratha Empire's military ingenuity and fortification architecture. This inclusion brings India's tally of UNESCO-recognised heritage sites to 44, spanning cultural, historical, and natural importance. A glimpse into Maratha military brilliance The newly listed site is not a single monument but a serial nomination, a network of 12 strategically located forts built by the Marathas between the 17th and 19th centuries. Eleven of these are located in Maharashtra: Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg. The 12th fort, Gingee, is in Tamil Nadu, illustrating the regional reach of Maratha influence and military strategy. Read more: No more shoe checks: TSA updates airport screening rules; what flyers need to know These forts were more than just defensive structures, they were hubs of governance, military training, and community resilience. They represent an era where geography, architectural innovation, and military science merged to form a unique fortification system unlike any other in India. Interestingly, India's nomination had initially received a deferral recommendation in from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the UNESCO advisory body. ICOMOS had raised doubts about whether the Maratha forts met the criteria of Outstanding Universal Value, a key requirement for World Heritage inscription. However, during the July 2024 session, Greece, along with South Korea, Kazakhstan, Kenya, and Senegal, proposed an amendment countering the deferral. They recommended a two-phased nomination and argued that the forts fulfilled the necessary heritage criteria. The amendment highlighted the military, cultural, and governance systems embedded in the fort architecture and praised the forts as tangible expressions of Swarajya (self-rule) and cultural resilience. The amendment was accepted, and India's nomination was inscribed on the list — a diplomatic triumph for the Indian delegation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the news: 'Every Indian is elated with this recognition…. I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha Empire.' Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also lauded the decision, calling it a proud moment for India and especially for the state of Maharashtra. A cultural showcase in Paris India's delegation, led by Permanent Representative to UNESCO Vishal V. Sharma, played a key role in the inscription process. The team included representatives from the Archaeological Survey of India, the Union ministries of culture, external affairs, and environment, as well as experts from Maharashtra's archaeology department and DRONAH (Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage). In an effort to promote the intangible cultural legacy of the Marathas, the Indian team distributed a range of symbolic items to delegates: a coffee-table book on the forts in multiple languages, a replica of Shivaji's royal seal ( Raj Mudra ), Himroo shawls, and even notebooks featuring artwork by schoolchildren living near the forts. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji with a cannon and sword was also gifted to UNESCO member states ahead of the session. Read more: 6 unmissable stops that make Chandigarh to Shimla hill tour worthwhile According to Sharma, this initiative helped bridge the global knowledge gap about the Maratha military heritage, which is often overshadowed by the more ornate Mughal or Rajput forts in north India. The inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes marks a significant expansion of global recognition for India's diverse regional histories. While India's Mughal and Rajput forts have long received attention, this nomination showcases the military innovation and resilience of the Marathas, who used their native geography — hilltops, coastal outposts, and inland plateaus — to their advantage in designing almost impenetrable fortresses. With the global spotlight now on these forts, they are likely to see a rise in heritage tourism, offering both a cultural and economic boost to the regions they belong to.
The Print
10 hours ago
- General
- The Print
Maratha Military Landscapes' UNESCO tag is a win. Conservation must catch up
But this recognition carries far more weight. It is a profound acknowledgment of indigenous military traditions and innovation that tuned the terrain into a tactical ally. This would be the first time when an inscription shines light on subaltern military heritage, celebrating the terrain-driven and decentralised warfare crafted by the Maratha generals—an extraordinary chapter of India's history that rarely finds mention on the global stage. With this latest addition, India now ranks sixth globally in terms of the total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The journey to get this inscription was long and full of challenges. After two years of back and forth, the revised nomination was finally accepted last year and has since been hailed as a model for integrated military and ecological heritage. In the late hours of 11th July 2025, far away from the Sahyadri mountains, the World Heritage Committee, during its ongoing 47th session in Paris, added 12 formidable military forts of the great Maratha Empire onto the UNESCO World Heritage site list. Spread across diverse geographical and physiographical terrains of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, these military establishments—collectively termed as the Maratha Military Landscapes—have become India's 44th World Heritage Site. However, the responsibility does not end with the inscription. This will demand a stronger, strategic, and collaborative management plan for all the world heritage sites and for those in the tentative list. Conservation is a challenge for a developing country like India, where it's becoming increasingly difficult to manage the growing cityscape and historical and archaeological heritage. Outstanding universal value For every site UNESCO recognises as a World Heritage Site, its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is evaluated. It is central to the World Heritage convention as it highlights the global significance the site holds, not only in the present time but also in the future. It notes the uniqueness of each site while evaluating the state of preservation and capabilities of the stakeholders to uphold the inscription. However, the responsibility does not lie with the country where it is located. It becomes a global responsibility to ensure that the site's value is not lost. In the case of the 12 forts of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, the task to underline the OUV was undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with other stakeholders in the dossier. As per the statement, the military landscape developed between the 17th and 19th centuries CE. represented an extraordinary fortification and military system. The military system and the ideology reached their zenith during the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by c.1670 CE and continued till 1818 CE. This extraordinary network of forts, varying in hierarchies, scales, and typological features, is a result of integrating the landscape, terrain, and physiographic characteristics, particularly distinctive to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Konkan coast, the Deccan Plateau, and the Eastern Ghats in the Indian peninsula. According to the OUV, they represent the Maratha kingdom's envisioned military network in India. It is also stressed in the dossier that the significance not only lies in the architecture but also in the innovation of connecting them into a unified operational defence system through a strategic network that exploits the unique cultural landscape. They are also the largest concentration of forts integrated within a cultural landscape, globally. Along with the forts, the buffer zones constitute the most authentic, well-preserved, and representative sites of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. The nomination boundary of the 12 forts includes all the key features that support their recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area covers the main defensive structures that showcase the Marathas' unique military architecture. The buffer zone around each fort is carefully designed to reflect both the immediate surroundings of the fort and the larger landscape of related forts. This includes two additional layers of the Maratha defence systems built strategically around the main forts. These outer areas include smaller forts and outposts that supported the core structure. The buffer also considers old trade routes and natural features like hills, forests and terrain, which played a major role in the region's defence, culture and economy. These natural elements, along with the man-made check posts known as the Met area, formed part of the larger Maratha Military Landscapes of India. Protection and management In December 2024, Gwenaëlle Bourdin, the then Director of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Evaluation Unit (responsible for evaluating the OUV of nominated sites), submitted a short interim report on the evaluation carried out by an expert named Hwajong Lee (Republic of Korea). In the report, the panel considered that the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' might have the potential to meet the requirements for the Outstanding Universal Value, although this had not yet been demonstrated during the evaluation. From requesting an exhaustive description of each fort and of the nominated component parts, asking the State Party to justify its rationale behind selecting 12 forts out of the initial list of 390 forts, and 14 forts in the Tentative List, ICOMOS highlighted many concerns. However, the most important aspect highlighted by the ICOMOS was not its historicity or the description but the negative impact of interventions and developments taking place at a number of the sites from the list. These included steel towers and solar panels at Khanderi Fort, a ropeway and support structure at Raigad, modern structures, pipelines, and electric poles within several nominated areas. At Pratapgarh, new constructions have appeared in the buffer zones, while Panhala Fort has been impacted by communication towers, water tanks, and even a road cutting through the site. Similarly, National Highway 77, which runs through Gingee Fort, raises questions about its impact on the site's integrity. Thus, ICOMOS asked for the Site Management Plan for each nominated fort. In response, the State Party, provided enough material highlighting its competence in protecting the nominated components. It was noted that eight out of the 12 forts are centrally protected by ASI, and the rest are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, government of Maharashtra. For overseeing the management, the State Level Apex Advisory Committee is formed. But is it enough? Also read: Early Harappan burial discovery is changing how we understand Gujarat's past A boon or a threat? Similar to the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, the magnificent Hill forts of Rajasthan, which include Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2013. They were the first serial nominations of India: a group of geographically dispersed but thematically connected sites spanning multiple states or regions. Such sites require a unified conservation framework and an integrated, collaborative management plan. This increases the role of stakeholders in constructing future strategies that emphasise coordinated governance, ecological sensitivity, and active community involvement. Such an integrated effort targets ensuring long-term protection of the sites. However, many forts of Rajasthan, especially Kumbhalgarh, are facing growing conservation concerns due to unchecked tourism, structural degradation, and poor conservation efforts. These forts are vulnerable to urban pressure, increasing footfall, which impacts their integrity. It is evident that with increased visibility on the global front, there will be a sharp rise in the footfall. Are the stakeholders prepared for the preservation challenges not only of the monument but also of the landscape that is integral to their significance? Now that the spotlight is on lesser-known chapters of history, the real challenge is in protecting them without overexposing. Until a management plan is put in place and concerns are taken care of, we must celebrate the recognition that the Maratha forts have awaited for centuries. Let's also remember that heritage is not just about marking national achievements on a global stage—it is meant to be protected, preserved, and passed on to future generations. Disha Ahluwalia is an archaeologist and junior research fellow at the Indian Council Of Historical Research. She tweets @ahluwaliadisha. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Arab News
a day ago
- General
- Arab News
India marks inclusion of 12 Maratha forts on UNESCO World Heritage List
NEW DELHI: India's Maratha Military Landscapes — a network of 12 strategic forts — have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the country's 44th site to receive the designation. The forts were used by the rulers of the Maratha Empire, who held power across parts of central, western and southern India between the late 17th century and the early 19th century. Marathas rose to prominence after the decline of the Mughal Empire, following the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the last powerful Mughal ruler, who alone had controlled much of India for nearly 50 years. The proposal to include the Maratha forts on the UNESCO list was submitted by India to the World Heritage Committee in January 2024. The inscription, which took place during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris on Friday, marked 'a significant milestone in the global acknowledgment of India's rich and diverse cultural heritage,' the Ministry of Culture said in a statement. The Maratha Military Landscapes of India were nominated under the criteria in recognition of 'their exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, their architectural and technological significance, and their deep associations with historic events and traditions.' The fortification network covers 11 forts in the state of Maharashtra — Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg — and one, Gingee Fort, in Tamil Nadu. With the newest addition, India now ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia-Pacific region for the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites. 'The fact that UNESCO selected 12 forts from the Maratha dynasty as World Heritage Sites is a matter of great pride for the history of the Marathas, Maharashtra and India,' Prof. Santosh Mahadevrao Ghuge, who heads the Department of History at the Fergusson College in Pune, one of the main cities of Maharashtra, told Arab News. 'The war strategy of the Marathas has unique significance in Indian and world history, and forts have an important place in this war strategy. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha military prowess and the use of forts in warfare enabled the Marathas to defeat the powerful Mughals.'
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Jaishankar "delighted" as Maratha Military Landscapes get UNESCO World Heritage tag
New Delhi: India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed happiness after the "Maratha Military Landscapes of India" were officially inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. These military landscapes, developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, feature extraordinary fortification systems that showcase the complexity and strategic prowess of Maratha defence systems. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Delighted that 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' has been inscribed in @UNESCO #WorldHeritage list. Developed between the 17th & 19th centuries, the extraordinary fortification systems showcase the complexity and strategic prowess of Maratha defence systems as well as India's rich civilizational legacy." In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India's 44th property to receive this recognition. This global accolade celebrates India's enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity, the Ministry of Culture said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, lauded the historic milestone and congratulated the people of India for this achievement. The proposal was sent to the consideration of World Heritage Committee in Jan 2024 and after a rigorous eighteen-month long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and visit of ICOMOS's mission to review the sites, this historic decision was taken by the members of the World Heritage Committee today evening at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. On Friday, Jaishankar offered warm wishes as Mongolia begins the celebrations of the Naadam Festival. In a post on X, he greeted his Mongolian counterpart and offered wishes to the Government and people of Mongolia. He expressed optimism in the India-Mongolia relationship spanning across areas such as economic cooperation, cultural and spiritual ties and hoped for them to continue flourishing. EAM wrote on X, "Warm greetings FM Battsetseg Batmunkh, the Government and people of Mongolia on 'Naadam Festival' celebrations. May our economic cooperation, cultural and spiritual ties continue to flourish and enrich our strategic partnership." Naadam is a national festival celebrated every year from July 11 to 13 across Mongolia that focuses on three traditional games: horse racing, wrestling and archery, as noted by UNESCO Intangible Heritage. UNESCO has recognised it as an intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO intangible heritage observed that the festival comprises oral traditions, performing arts, national cuisine, craftsmanship, and cultural forms such as long song, Khoomei overtone singing, Bie biyelgee dance and Morin khuur fiddle. Mongolians follow special rituals and practices during the festival, such as wearing unique costumes and using distinctive tools and sporting items. Festival participants revere the sportsmen, sportswomen, and children who compete, and winners are rewarded titles for their achievements.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Why are the Maratha Military Landscapes relevant for the UPSC exam?
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your UPSC history, art and culture current affairs knowledge nugget on the Maratha military landscapes. (Relevance: UNESCO World Heritage sites are a crucial part of the UPSC syllabus. Additionally, the Maratha Empire is an important topic. In the past, UPSC has asked various questions related to the Maratha Empire. For example, in the Prelims exam of the Combined Geo-Scientist 2025, a question was asked on this topic. Therefore, it is essential to cover this topic from both the history and art & culture perspectives.) At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), India's official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, the Maratha Military Landscapes, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this context, let's know about the Maratha Military Landscapes and Chhatrapati Shivaji. 1. The Maratha Military Landscapes include 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji, including forts of Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. 2. The decision to include them was taken on Friday (July 11) during the 47th session of the WHC held in Paris. This is India's 44th property to receive the recognition. 3. Regarding the latest addition to the World Heritage List, the Culture Ministry said it reflects India's enduring cultural legacy and highlights the country's diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity. 1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680) carved out an independent Maratha kingdom from various Deccan states in the 17th century. He was born to a general who served different Deccan Sultans throughout his life. 2. Shivaji was keen on expanding his father's fiefdom of modern-day Pune into an independent Maratha state. During that time several Sultanates like Bijapur, Golkonda and Ahmadnagar and the Mughals were competing for the control of the Deccan. 3. With the rise of Mughal power, these Sultanates would become tributaries to the Mughal Empire with the rulers and ruling clans being given positions in the Mughal court. However, they continued to quarrel among themselves. 4. Shivaji's conflict with the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur began when he was only 16. He would spend the rest of his life fighting various opponents. This is how he went on to lay the foundation for the Maratha Empire. This empire stretched across large parts of the Indian subcontinent and rule till the 19th Century. 5. His first direct encounter with the Mughals was during Aurangzeb's Deccan campaigns of the 1650s. As Aurangzeb went North to fight for the Mughal throne, Shivaji was able to seize further territory. 6. In 1664 he attacked the port of Surat (now in Gujarat) and plundered one of the richest and busiest commercial towns of Mughal India while the local governor hid in a nearby fort. 7. Aurangzeb noticed that the legend of Shivaji and the physical sphere of his influence was growing. So he sent a 100,000-strong, well-equipped army under Raja Jai Singh I to subdue him in 1665. After putting up a valiant fight, Shivaji was besieged in the Purandar hill fort. 8. He was taken to Aurangzeb's court in Agra in 1666. He presented Aurangzeb with various gifts, but he felt slighted at the treatment he received in return, and made his displeasure clear in open court. Aurangzeb put him under house arrest in Agra. Far away from home and help, Shivaji realised he needed to escape to save himself and his territories. The story of Shivaji's subsequent escape is now part of common lore. 9. The popularly told story involves an elaborate plan, under which he began daily distribution of alms to brahmans. The alms would be sent from his home in Agra in large, covered baskets. 10. After some time, the Mughal guards became lax about checking the contents of the baskets that daily left his house. One day, Shivaji slipped into one of the baskets, and put his young son, Sambhaji, in another basket. It was in these covered baskets that Shivaji and his son left Agra, right under the noses of the Mughals. 11. Aurangzeb chose not to start an immediate conflict with Shivaji again. Instead, he offered Shivaji the title of Raja and guaranteed his authority in the Maratha lands as long as he acknowledged the supremacy of the Mughals and maintained truce. 12. By 1669, Shivaji had regrouped and raised an effective army. Using his old guerilla tactics, he would swiftly descend into static Mughal and Bijapuri strongholds, looting and pillaging the shocked Mughals. In 1674, he crowned himself Chhatrapati, officially creating an independent Maratha kingdom. 13. At the time of his death, he held around 300 forts over an area that stretched across the Konkan coast, from Surat to near Goa, and was overlooked by the strategic Western Ghats. 1. Crucial to Maratha military strategy were hill forts. Unlike the plains of Northern India, suited to conventional battle with large standing armies, the terrain of the Maratha country was different. With the Arabian Sea on one side, the Konkan plains in the centre and the Western Ghats overlooking the plains, in the 17th century much of the region was covered in thick jungles. 2. The Maratha icon was born and raised in the hill fort of Shivneri (around 100 km from Pune), given to Shivaji's grandfather by the Sultan of Ahmadnagar in lieu of his services as a military commander. Shivneri is a typical hill fort found in the Western Ghats – a small but strong fortification, atop a hill overlooking the surrounding terrain. 3. Growing up in the hills and valleys around Pune, Shivaji understood the salience of hill forts in controlling the land. Over his storied life, he captured multiple such forts, including Torna (when he was only 16), Rajgadh, Sinhagadh and Purandar. 4. Early in his life, Shivaji realised that the key to holding power in the Deccan (or for that matter, many places in India in that era) was to capture and hold important forts. Thus, his strategies would be centred around taking control of forts in strategic locations, often on hilltops. He also repaired and built new forts as his sphere of control increased. 5. Warfare in such terrain is qualitatively different, with large conventional armies prone to getting bogged down. Thus, as Shivaji began to consolidate and expand his influence in the region, his strategies evolved to be significantly different from the common military doctrine of the time. 6. Marathas forces would strike quickly and retreat to the many hill forts of the region. These forts were designed such that the approach to them was tricky, often treacherous, to large groups of men. Consequently, these were perfect defensive positions where either the bigger armies would not bother to attack or would have to sacrifice their strength in numbers if they did choose to attack. Hill forts also were constructed such that they were perfect vantage points to keep a lookout for any threat. Consider the following statements with reference to the Maratha Military Landscapes: 1. It includes 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 2. All forts part of Maratha military landscapes are located in Maharashtra. 3. It is India's 43rd property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. How many of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None (Sources: Knowledge Nugget: How is 'Chhaava' or Sambhaji Maharaj important for UPSC Exam?, Knowledge nugget of the day: Chhatrapati Shivaji) ALSO READ: How Shivaji became the voice of multiple social causes by Adrija Roychowdhury Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
