Maratha Military Forts Receive UNESCO World Heritage Honour

On July 11, 2025, India marked a proud moment in heritage conservation as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India were officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This inclusion not only celebrates the Maratha Empire’s architectural brilliance and strategic depth but also highlights India’s commitment to preserving its diverse historical legacy.

This recognition was granted during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, making it India’s 44th site on the prestigious list. The nomination was made by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and represents a defining chapter in military history, showcasing how indigenous traditions shaped fort construction, defense, and governance in the Indian subcontinent.

Twelve Forts, One Powerful Legacy

The UNESCO inscription includes a total of twelve forts spread across the Indian states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. These forts reflect a range of ecological zones and geographical terrains, from mountains and forests to coastlines and islands. The chosen forts are:

  • Hill Forts: Shivneri, Salher, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, Gingee
  • Hill-Forest Fort: Pratapgad
  • Hill-Plateau Fort: Panhala
  • Coastal Fort: Vijaydurg
  • Island Forts: Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Khanderi

Each of these forts was chosen for its strategic design, engineering innovations, and association with the rise of the Maratha Empire, especially under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Hindavi Swaraj.

Strategic Genius of the Marathas

What sets the Maratha military landscape apart is its clever integration with natural geography. The Marathas, under Shivaji’s leadership and later the Peshwas, developed a network of forts that used hills, plateaus, dense forests, and the sea as part of their defense strategy. These forts weren’t merely military outposts—they were centers of administration, logistics, culture, and resilience.

Many of these structures were nearly impossible to conquer due to their location and design. For instance, Raigad Fort, perched high in the Western Ghats, served as the capital of Shivaji’s kingdom and the site of his coronation. Shivneri Fort, his birthplace, was known for its strong walls, ample water storage, and natural defenses.

Why UNESCO Recognized It

UNESCO inscribes sites that hold exceptional value to human culture or natural history. The Maratha Military Landscapes were recognized based on their:

  1. Cultural Value – These forts represent a distinctive defense system developed in the Indian context, independent of European, Islamic, or other traditions.
  2. Architectural Innovation – The forts used local materials, created natural camouflage, incorporated water harvesting systems, and allowed sustainable long-term occupation.
  3. Historical Significance – They are closely linked to the idea of indigenous rule or swarajya, which Shivaji and his successors promoted as an alternative to foreign dominance.

The nomination was initially deferred by UNESCO’s advisory body due to the wide geographical spread of the sites. However, India’s detailed presentation and global support—18 out of 20 member states backed the nomination—ensured its approval.

From Proposal to Recognition

The journey toward World Heritage status began in 2021 when these sites were added to India’s Tentative List. In January 2024, the Indian government submitted the full nomination dossier. A technical review was conducted by UNESCO experts, and the final decision came in July 2025.

The proposal was led by the Ministry of Culture and supported by the Archaeological Survey of India and state archaeology departments of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Out of the twelve forts, eight are protected by the ASI, while the rest are managed by state authorities.

Cultural and National Importance

These forts are deeply embedded in the memory and identity of Maharashtra. They are not just ruins but symbols of resistance, self-rule, and native intelligence. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s vision of Hindavi Swarajya—a self-governing Indian polity—took physical shape through these forts.

Moreover, these sites were not merely used for warfare. They also served administrative purposes, as secure residences for royalty, and even as places of worship. Some forts, like Gingee in Tamil Nadu, stand as testimony to Maratha influence beyond Maharashtra’s borders.

Tourism, Conservation, and the Road Ahead

With the UNESCO tag comes the responsibility to conserve and manage these heritage sites effectively. Local authorities have already begun drawing up long-term plans for preservation, community engagement, and responsible tourism.

For example, in the area surrounding Salher Fort, the Maharashtra government plans to upgrade basic amenities, construct interpretation centers, provide training for local guides, and regulate tourist inflow to prevent environmental degradation.

This recognition is expected to boost tourism, attract international researchers, and offer economic opportunities to local communities through homestays, handicrafts, and guided tours. Moreover, it will ensure that future generations can learn from these monuments of resilience and vision.

Highlights of Selected Forts

  • Shivneri Fort: The birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. It had elaborate water systems, temples, and fortifications that could withstand long sieges.
  • Raigad Fort: A political and spiritual symbol of the Maratha Empire. The coronation of Shivaji in 1674 happened here. It also contains his samadhi (memorial).
  • Sindhudurg and Suvarnadurg: Island forts built to establish control over the Arabian Sea. They were key naval bases in the Maratha maritime strategy.
  • Gingee Fort (Tamil Nadu): One of the few examples of Maratha architecture outside Maharashtra. It was called the “Troy of the East” due to its strategic strength.

India’s Growing UNESCO Portfolio

With this addition, India now has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, covering natural, cultural, and mixed heritage. These include world-famous locations like the Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, and natural wonders like the Western Ghats.

The inclusion of the Maratha forts adds to India’s representation of military architecture and reflects the diversity of its cultural evolution. It is also a reminder of the importance of indigenous historical narratives in global forums.

Conclusion

The inscription of the Maratha Military Landscapes on the UNESCO World Heritage List is more than a historical footnote—it is a tribute to India’s rich legacy of resistance, innovation, and pride. These forts, carved into mountains, floating on seas, and hidden in forests, stand as silent sentinels of a time when Indian leaders built with purpose, defended with intelligence, and governed with vision.

As India continues to preserve and promote such sites, the world gains a deeper appreciation of the subcontinent’s past—not as a passive recipient of invasions or colonialism, but as an active shaper of its own destiny. The Maratha forts are now global symbols of that resilience.

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