July 2025: In a moment of pride for India’s cultural and architectural legacy, the Maratha Military Landscapes have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th World Heritage Site.
Spanning across 12 military forts in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, these historic structures were built between the 17th and 19th centuries under the formidable Maratha Empire. The inscription recognizes their exceptional value as representations of military strategy, topography-based planning, water management, and architectural innovation.
🌍 Why It Matters:
The Maratha forts — including famed structures like Raigad, Shivneri, and Gingee Fort — demonstrate how geography and fortification blended seamlessly in the Maratha military doctrine. These forts weren’t merely strongholds; they were deeply intertwined with the Maratha spirit of resilience, self-governance, and guerrilla warfare.
🛡️ A Legacy Etched in Stone
Each fort is a living narrative of India’s resistance, engineering, and regional influence. Built with locally sourced materials and adapted to varied terrains (from Sahyadri hills to coastal cliffs), they exhibit the adaptability and sustainability inherent in Maratha architecture.
📍 List of Forts Inscribed:
(Include a few names for representation. A full list can follow.)
- Raigad Fort
- Shivneri Fort
- Pratapgad Fort
- Lohagad Fort
- Sindhudurg Fort
- Gingee Fort (Tamil Nadu)
…and more
🔍 UNESCO’s Recognition:
The committee praised the site for its Outstanding Universal Value, particularly for illustrating an “innovative approach to fortification and military architecture unique to the Maratha Empire.”
🇮🇳 A Boost to Tourism & Conservation
This global recognition is expected to boost heritage tourism, encourage community-led conservation, and place Indian military architecture on the global map of historical excellence.
As India continues to celebrate and preserve its vast cultural and historical wealth, the Maratha Military Landscapes now stand tall not just in stone — but in global memory.
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