Latest news with #MarathaMilitaryLandscapesofIndia
India.com
20-07-2025
- General
- India.com
From Maharashtra To Tamil Nadu: Maratha Legacy Carries On As India's Historic Forts Gain Global Recognition
photoDetails english 2934226 At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They became India's 44th property to receive this recognition. This global recognition highlights India's rich and enduring cultural legacy, reflecting the country's deep-rooted traditions in architecture, regional diversity, and historical continuity. From ancient temples and monuments to colonial-era structures and indigenous design practices, India's architectural heritage tells the story of its evolving identity. Now the recognition of Maratha architecture shows the contribution of the region and era, its unique style, materials, and craftsmanship, creating a legacy that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire awe on the world stage. Updated:Jul 20, 2025, 08:45 AM IST Maratha Legacy Lives On 1 / 8 According to ANI, spanning from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this extraordinary network of twelve forts demonstrates the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire. Ministry Of Culture 2 / 8 The proposal was sent for the consideration of the World Heritage Committee in January 2024, and after an eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a visit of ICOMOS's mission to review the sites, the Ministry of Culture stated. Selected Sites 3 / 8 The selected sites are spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. They include: Suvarnadurg, Lohgad, Shivneri, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Vijaydurg, Pratapgad, Panhala, Sindhudurg, and Salher in Maharashtra, and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. Forts Protected Under... 4 / 8 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protection to: Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee fort. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, protection to: Salher fort, Rajgad, and Khanderi fort, Pratapgarh. Location And Strategy 5 / 8 Located across a range of diverse terrains, from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds. The forts reflect a deep understanding of geography and strategic defence planning. Types Of Forts 6 / 8 Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts, as per ANI. Pratapgad, is within dense woods, and is classified as a hill-forest fort. Panhala, located on a plateaued hill, is a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg, positioned along the shoreline, is a notable coastal fort, while Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are recognised as island forts. Maratha Military Landscape 7 / 8 The Maratha Military Landscape of India was nominated under criteria four and six of the list, recognising their exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, their architectural and technological significance, and their deep associations with historic events and traditions. The purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO's list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values). Credits 8 / 8 Information Source: ANI All Images: @DrSJaishankar/X
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TG Maratha bodies' elated over UNESCO tag for Shivaji forts
Hyderabad: The Telangana Maratha Mandal and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha Navayuvak Mandal have expressed immense joy following UNESCO's declaration of 12 sites associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as World Heritage Sites. These sites, now recognised as the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India,' are hailed as living examples of the Maratha Empire's valour and Indian architectural prowess. Prakash Patil, President of the Maratha Mandal, and Dilip Jagtap, General Secretary, alongside Madan Jadhav, President of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maratha Navayuvak Mandal, called the recognition a matter of pride for all of India, not just Maharashtra. They extended congratulations to all involved for UNESCO's acknowledgement of the historical and cultural significance of these forts as World Heritage. The decision was made during the 47th meeting of the World Heritage Committee. The organisations highlighted that the world will now become acquainted with Chhatrapati Shivaji's strategic warfare, foresight, and the architectural brilliance embedded within these forts. The 12 recognised sites include 11 forts in Maharashtra: Salher Fort (Nashik), Panhala Fort (Kolhapur), Shivneri Fort and Rajgarh Fort (Pune), Khanderi Fort, and Rajyagarh Fort (Raigad), Pratapgarh Fort (Satara), Suvarnagiri Fort (Ratnagiri), Vijaydurg Fort and Sindhudurg Fort (Sindhudurg). Additionally, Jinji Fort, located in Villapuram, Tamil Nadu, is also included. These forts, built in harmony with their geographical features, have now received UNESCO's World Heritage designation. The Maratha leaders emphasised that these forts exemplify Maratha freedom and their struggle against Mughal rule. They anticipate that this recognition will familiarise the world with Chhatrapati Shivaji's military policies and vision, while also boosting tourism in India.
The Print
14-07-2025
- 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)
India Gazette
13-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Great pride for us": Union Minister Piyush Goyal on UNESCO honour for Shivaji's 12 forts
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 13 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday hailed UNESCO's decision to include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 12 forts in its World Heritage list, stating that the Maratha king's 'profound' influence continues to inspire everyone. Goyal said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj worked to bring 'swaraj' to the country, fought for the nation's unity and integrity, and promoted development and respect for every individual to the farthest reaches. 'This is a matter of great pride for all of us. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj worked to bring 'swaraj' to the country, fought for the nation's unity and integrity, and promoted development and respect for every individual to the farthest reaches. We are deeply proud that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 12 forts (11 in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu) have been granted World Heritage Site status. This reflects how his profound influence reached every corner and continues to inspire us all,' Goyal told mediapersons. In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for the 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 and 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 the World Heritage Committee in January 2024 and after a rigorous eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a 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. (ANI)
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Heritage tag may bring more tourists to gingee
VILLUPURAM: The Gingee Fort in Villupuram district, which was one of, if not the most, impregnable forts in the country during the 17th and 18th centuries, has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list as part of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' that included 11 more forts from Maharashtra. With the site soon to find a spot on the global tourism map, the inclusion has raised hopes of tourism-oriented development in the historically rich but economically underdeveloped region. The fortifications, spread over three hills of eastern ghats, with the tallest being Rajagiri, has been a stronghold of several dynasties, including the Vijayanagar Nayaks, the Bijapuri Sultans, the Mughals, the Marathas, the French, and even the British. However, one of the documents submitted by the union government for the Unesco recognition said, 'Its last layer of Maratha Fortifications is well documented as one of the most significant defence systems.' Collector Sheik Abdul Rahman told TNIE the recognition paves way for developing the site for visitors from across the country and abroad. While its impregnability due to its location is what makes it a remarkable piece of architecture, it is the same factor that makes it difficult to access for visitors, requiring a tedious trek. The site, at present, lacked adequate amenities. Writer and archaeology enthusiast K Senguttuvan said, 'It is a happy moment for us who have been longing for attention regarding the archaeological and historical significance of Villupuram district.' Asked what measures the ASI would be taking following the Unesco recognition, Sushanta Karan, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Chennai Circle, told TNIE, 'World Heritage Monument tag means visitors will come from various countries. The central government and ASI would decide about additional measures in due course.' Villupuram MP D Ravikumar appreciated the efforts of the state government, and the district administration, in aiding to secure this recognition. (With inputs from T Muruganantham @ Chennai)
