12 Maratha forts nominated for UNESCO World Heritage List 2024-2025

Maharashtra is celebrating a major victory, as 12 Maratha forts, nominated by the Central Government, are vying for a special spot on the esteemed UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024–2025. The Ministry of Culture emphasises that this nomination serves as a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, coinciding with the celebration of his 350th Coronation anniversary.

Termed the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India,' these forts, include illustrious names like Raigad, Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg. These forts serve as a testament to the formidable fortification and military brilliance envisioned by the Maratha rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries.

These forts, spanning diverse regions from the Sahyadri mountain ranges to the Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats, form an exceptional network integrating unique landscape features of the Indian Peninsula. Out of Maharashtra's extensive collection of over 390 forts, only 12 have been chosen in the cultural category, with eight of them being safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Ministry of Culture highlights this nomination as a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, aligning with the celebration of his 350th Coronation anniversary. It is noteworthy that Maharashtra already has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Elephanta Island Caves, and the Western Ghats.