STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
MAHARASHTRA
Maratha Military Landscapes of India inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 44th Entry
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. The announcement was made during
the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
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.
whc.unesco.org/en/list/1739/maps
Spread across the states of Maharashtra (11) and Tamil Nadu (1), the
selected sites, include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad,
Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in
Maharashtra along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Located across a range of diverse terrains - from coastal outposts to
hilltop strongholds - these forts reflect a sophisticated understanding
of geography and strategic defence planning. Together, they form a
cohesive military landscape that highlights the innovation and regional
adaptation of fortification traditions in India.
Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts.
Pratapgad nestled within dense woods 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
Khanderi, Suvarnadurg and Sindhudurg surrounded by the sea, are recognized as island forts.
Source: Sunil Kumar Tiwari , pib.gov.in/PressRelease, Ministry of Culture, 11 Jul 2025
Read details on all the forts at india-info.org
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