Maratha Military Landscapes of India added to the UNESCO World Heritage List

12 iconic forts of the great Maratha Empire in India, 11 in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu, are now inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Some Maratha forts that are part of Maratha Military Landscapes of India, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Images by Ministry of Culture, on PIB.

‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ has been now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th heritage property to receive this recognition.

The Maratha Military Landscapes of India are 12 of the great Maratha forts dating from the 17th to 19th centuries CE. These twelve monumental forts signify the strategic military vision and the architectural ingenuity of the great Maratha Empire. These heritage forts are located across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu states.

A view from Sindhudurg Fort, in Maharashtra, India. Photo by Sandesh Nayak on Unsplash

The heritage sites selected on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ are : Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.

An observation point from the mighty fort of Rajgad (an ex-capital of Maratha empire), in Maharashtra. Photo by Rohan sangodkar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In these World Heritage forts, Shivneri fort, Lohgad fort, Raigad fort, Suvarnadurg fort, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg fort, Sindhudurg fort and Gingee fort are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Among them, Salher fort, Rajgad, Khanderi fort, and Pratapgarh fort are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

A view of Raigad fort in Maharashtra. Photo by Sagargandhre, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These forts are located on a range of diverse terrains — from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds, these forts stand as evidence of a sophisticated understanding of geography and strategic defence planning.

A view of Pratapgad fort, after restoration. Photo by Ministry of Culture, on PIB.

Together, these great forts form a cohesive military landscape that highlights the innovation and regional adaptation of fortification traditions in India.

Kadelot point at Shivneri fort, Maharashtra. This fort is the birth place of birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the famous Maratha warrior and founder of Maratha Empire. Photo by Truptis Sudhakar Sarode, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Here's the details of the diverse geographical terrains where these forts are situated.

• 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 known as island forts.

A view of Suvarnadurg fort, an island fort in Maharashtra. Photo by Ashwin Baindur (User:AshLin), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

These glorious Maratha sites were inscribed on the UNSECO World Heritage list today, on 11 July 2025, during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France. This marks a significant milestone in the global acknowledgement of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, which has been long overdue.

The Maratha Military Landscape of India was nominated under criteria (iv) and (vi), recognising their exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, their architectural and technological significance, and their deep associations with historic events and traditions.

A view from Pratapgad fort, before restoration. Dhananjay Odhekar, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The purpose of including these heritage sites in UNESCO’s list is to preserve and promote shared heritage based on OUVs (Outstanding Universal Values) found in cultural, natural as well as mixed properties across 196 countries. On its part, India became a member of the World Heritage Committee from 2021-25.

A British cannon at Khanderi fort, Maharashtra. Photo by Pratishkhedekar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This global recognition is a testimony to New India’s relentless pursuit of highlighting Bharat’s heritage on the world forum. This recognition underscores the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Maharashtra government in preserving these historic treasures.

A view of Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. Photo by Ministry of Culture, on PIB.

Last year in 2024, the Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty of Charaideo, in Assam, were inscribed in the World Heritage List at the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi.

In the previous year in 2023, the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas were inscribed in the World Heritage List. The splendid Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebeedu, and Somanathpur are a part of this group of monuments in Karnataka, India.

India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites. 196 nations have ratified the World Heritage Convention, 1972.

India also has 62 sites in the Tentative List of the World Heritage, which is a mandatory threshold for any site to be considered as a World Heritage property in future. Every year, each State Party may propose just one site for consideration of the World Heritage Committee for inscription to the World Heritage List.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the nodal agency of all the World Heritage related matters in the country, on behalf of the Government of India.

References

1. Maratha Military Landscapes of India Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 44th Entry - Ministry of Culture, on PIB, Govt. of India. Posted On: 11 JUL 2025 10:08PM by PIB Delhi
2. Maratha Military Landscapes of India - UNESCO World Heritage Centre