It’s of great pride for all of India that the 12 majestic forts of Shivaji Maharaj have been inscribed on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List. Such inscriptions aim to protect and promote heritage with Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) across 196 countries. These forts, located mostly in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu, were included in India’s official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India.’ The World Heritage Committee in its 47th session has selected ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India’ for its inscription cycle 2024-25. The 12 grand ports that made up the ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India’ are the Shivaji Maharaj-era forts of Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohagad Fort, Khanderi Fort, Raigad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Suvarnadurg Fort, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg Fort, and Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
The World Heritage Sites aren’t selected just because they are old or beautiful. There are clear criteria. The Maratha Military Landscape was nominated under UNESCO criteria (iv) and (vi) for the architectural, technological, and military ingenuity and cultural significance of the included fort sites, as well as their links to historical events. There are different categories of forts in this list, such as hill forts, hill jungle forts, hill plateau forts, coastal forts, and island forts. Each of these forts was built at strategic locations and to take advantage of the terrain to ensure high safety and a 360-degree watch. UNESCO recognizes these Shivaji Maharaj forts, although scattered, as networked entities to control and expand the empire, keeping enemies at bay. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, while establishing Hindavi Swarajya in the 17th century, used some of these forts for administration, governance, political, social, and defense-related activities.
Maharashtra’s legacy will be known to the world…
According to UNESCO’s observation, these Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj forts are not just ruins with legends but examples of innovative adaptation to the geography of the places to fulfill their military objectives. While these forts witnessed the bravery, justice, and statecraft of Shivaji Maharaj, they are also the places where conspiracy, revenge, and punishment would go hand in hand. These 12 forts that represent the glorious era of the Maratha empire, encompassing more than half of India and beating the Mughals, British, Portuguese, and regional powers, have exceptional significance, which earned them a place in the World Heritage Site list. After the recognition of UNESCO, the importance of these forts will not be limited to the country alone. They will now be recognized at the global level. Tourists from all over the world will be attracted to see these UNESCO heritage forts. This will give a big boost to local tourism, culture, and economy. In addition, UNESCO will also provide technical assistance for conservation using scientific methods, which will further strengthen the study of our history and the maintenance of forts.
The current Maharashtra government is also actively involved in the upkeep of the forts and monuments in the state through the Directorate of Archaeology and Museum, Government of Maharashtra. In the 2023 budget, the then Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis (current CM) allocated Rs 300 crore towards the conservation and preservation of the forts in Maharashtra. This also has contributed to the selection of our forts as World Heritage Sites. With this recognition by UNESCO, the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha military history will be recognized globally and generate interest and studies among historians the world over.
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