On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that every Indian is thrilled with this recognition. He noted that when we refer to the illustrious Maratha Empire, we connect it with effective governance and a focus on social welfare, as the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking India’s 44th property to achieve this honor.

PM Modi remarked, “Every Indian is thrilled with this recognition. The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ consist of 12 magnificent forts, 11 of which are located in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu. When we discuss the illustrious Maratha Empire, we link it to good governance, military prowess, cultural pride, and a commitment to social welfare.”
“The great rulers motivate us with their determination to resist any form of injustice. I urge everyone to visit these forts and explore the rich history of the Maratha Empire.”

In a significant decision made during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India,’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th property to receive this honor. This international recognition celebrates India’s lasting cultural heritage, highlighting its diverse traditions of architectural excellence, regional identity, and historical continuity, as stated by the Ministry of Culture in an official announcement.

Covering the period from the 17th to the 19th centuries CE, this remarkable network of twelve forts showcases the strategic military foresight and architectural creativity of the Maratha Empire.

The proposal was submitted for the World Heritage Committee’s review in January 2024. Following an extensive eighteen-month process that included multiple technical meetings with advisory bodies and a visit from ICOMOS’s mission to assess the sites, the World Heritage Committee members made this historic decision this evening at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, as stated by the Ministry.

The selected sites, located in the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. The inscription occurred during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, France, representing a significant milestone in the global recognition of India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

During the Committee Meeting, 18 out of 20 State Parties expressed their support for India’s proposal to inscribe this important site on the list. The discussion regarding the proposal lasted for 59 minutes, and following the favorable recommendations from 18 State Parties, all member states, UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, and the Advisory Bodies of UNESCO (ICOMOS, IUCN) congratulated the Indian delegation for this remarkable opportunity.

Last year, the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam were added to the World Heritage List during the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi.

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

Additionally, India has 62 sites listed on the Tentative List of World Heritage, which is a necessary criterion for any site to be considered for future World Heritage status. Each year, every State Party is allowed to propose only one site for the World Heritage Committee’s consideration for inscription on the World Heritage List, as stated in the release.