Hindu Valour of Marathas: UNESCO Recognizes 12 Historic Forts as World Heritage Sites.

UNESCO Recognizes Maratha Military Landscapes: 12 Historic Forts of Hindu Legacy Added to World Heritage List.

Upendra Bharti | HEN B | New Delhi | July 16, 2025:: In a significant development, UNESCO has granted World Heritage status to 12 historic Maratha forts spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, recognizing their exceptional military ingenuity and strategic significance. This recognition brings India’s total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to 44, solidifying its position as the sixth most-represented country globally.
Spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the selected sites, include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort inTamil Nadu.

The Maratha Military Landscapes
These 12 forts, built or fortified between the 17th and 19th centuries, represent a strategic military network of Hindu Kings, designed to defend the  Maratha Empire against regional powers including Mughals and British. Each fort showcases unique architectural and military innovations, leveraging natural terrain to outmaneuver adversaries, showcasing exceptional military ingenuity and strategic significance. Here’s a list of the 12 forts, categorized by type

– Hill Forts: 
– Rajgad Fort: Known for its formidable architecture and secret escape routes, located in Pune district.
– Lohgad Fort: Famous for its strong fortifications and strategic design.
– Salher Fort: One of the highest forts in Maharashtra, offering panoramic views.
– Shivneri Fort: Birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, featuring a museum and hilltop views.
– Raigad Fort: Coronation site of Shivaji Maharaj and capital of the Maratha Empire.
– Gingee Fort: Located in Tamil Nadu, known as “Troy of the East” for its strategic location and architecture.
– Hill-Forest Fort:
– Pratapgad Fort: Known for Shivaji’s historic victory over Afzal Khan and dense forest surroundings.
– Hill-Plateau Fort:
– Panhala Fort: Situated on a plateaued hill with unique architecture.
– Coastal Forts:
– Suvarnadurg Fort: A key naval station for Shivaji’s Maratha navy.
– Vijaydurg Fort: Built on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea, with 40-foot-high walls.
– Island Forts:
– Khanderi Fort: A marvel of coastal military engineering with a lighthouse and underwater barriers.
– Sindhudurg Fort: A masterpiece of Maratha sea defense, featuring 42 bastions.

These forts demonstrate the strategic military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire, which played a significant role in Indian history, particularly during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his successors to maintain the Hindu Pad Padshahi. They were instrumental in defending the empire against regional powers, including the Mughals and British .

Impact of UNESCO Recognition
The UNESCO tag is expected to:
– Boost Tourism: Increased visitor numbers, especially at lesser-known forts, will bring economic benefits but also pose preservation challenges.
– Preservation Efforts: Access to more resources, funds, and expertise for restoration and site management.
– Community Pride: Locals will take pride in their heritage, and the recognition will promote Maharashtra’s rich history and cultural identity.

Significance of Maratha Forts
These forts are not just historical monuments but symbols of Hindu resistance, imagination, and strategic brilliance. They demonstrate the Maratha Empire’s ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, “Every Indian is elated with this recognition…. I call upon everyone to go visit these forts and learn about the rich history of the Maratha Empire”.
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