Maratha Military Landscapes: India’s 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site
UPSC Prelims
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Gajendra Singh Godara
Jul 19, 2025
10
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Why in the News?
At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), India’s official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, the Maratha Military Landscapes, is inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
This makes it India’s 44th World Heritage Site, following the 2024 inscription of the Moidams of Charaideo, Assam.
The Maratha Empire (17th–18th century) is renowned for its formidable hill forts and ingenious military architecture. In July 2025, a cluster of these forts – collectively termed Maratha Military Landscapes of India – was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th World Heritage Site. This recognition highlights the rich cultural heritage of India and honors the Marathas’ strategic prowess. It also brings global attention to the hill forts of Maharashtra, which were the backbone of Maratha defense and administration. For history enthusiasts and UPSC aspirants, this development is significant: it links Maratha history with India’s current tally of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, underlining the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations.
What Are the Maratha Military Landscapes of India?
The Maratha Military Landscapes refer to a serial World Heritage Sites in India comprising 12 major forts built or expanded by Maratha rulers between the late 1600s and early 1800s. Eleven of these forts are in Maharashtra, and one is in Tamil Nadu – illustrating the Maratha Empire’s geographic spread. Strategically located in diverse terrains (coastal, hill, plateau, island), these forts formed an integrated defense network that protected trade routes and enabled Maratha control over vast regions. Below is a list of all 12 forts, with their location, fort type, and a note on historical significance:
Salher (Maharashtra) – Hill fort in the Sahyadri range, site of the 1672 Battle of Salher where Marathas won a major open-field victory against the Mughals, demonstrating their military resilience.
Shivneri (Maharashtra) – Hill fort near Junnar; the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1630, making it a symbol of Maratha pride and a pilgrimage spot for admirers.
Lohagad (Maharashtra) – Hill fort in the Western Ghats near Pune, known for its sturdy construction and panoramic views. It guarded trade routes and was used by the Marathas to store loot (e.g. after the 1664 Surat raid).
Khanderi (Maharashtra) – Island fort (also known as Kanhoji Angre Island) off the Maharashtra coast in the Arabian Sea. It exemplifies Maratha naval defense strategy, having served as a key maritime outpost controlling shipping lanes.
Raigad (Maharashtra) – Hill fort in the Sahyadris that served as the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji. It was here that Shivaji was coronated in 1674, and its lofty cliffs and ingenious pathways made it nearly impregnable.
Rajgad (Maharashtra) – Hill fort (Western Ghats) that was an earlier capital of Shivaji’s kingdom. Its sprawling design with multiple defensive layers reflects Maratha architectural ingenuity and long-term habitation by the royal court.
Pratapgad (Maharashtra) – Hill-forest fort famous for the Battle of Pratapgad (1659) where Shivaji defeated Afzal Khan. Surrounded by dense woods, the fort’s location and concealed paths exemplify how Marathas merged terrain with fortification in battle.
Suvarnadurg (Maharashtra) – Coastal island fort (“Golden Fort”) off the Konkan coast, which became an important Maratha naval base after Shivaji captured it in 1660. Surrounded by the sea, it showcases the Marathas’ maritime engineering and was integral to coastal defense.
Panhala (Maharashtra) – Hill-plateau fort in the Kolhapur region, known for its massive size and strategic position. It witnessed several encounters (such as Shivaji’s escape in 1660 leading to the Battle of Pavan Khind) and served as a residence for Maratha rulers, reflecting its military and cultural importance.
Vijaydurg (Maharashtra) – Coastal fort on a peninsula by the Arabian Sea, one of the best-preserved sea forts in India. Enlarged by the Marathas, it was a stronghold of Navy Admiral Kanhoji Angre and showcased the naval strength of the Maratha fleet.
Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) – Island fort built by Shivaji in 1664–67 on a reef off Maharashtra’s coast. Encircled by the ocean, it features unique construction (including concealed entrances and freshwater wells) and was pivotal in Maratha sea defense.
Gingee (Tamil Nadu) – Hill fort in Tamil Nadu (the sole fort outside Maharashtra on this list). Gingee, often called the “Troy of the East” for its formidable defenses, was briefly a Maratha capital under Shivaji’s son Rajaram in the 1690s during the Mughal war. Its massive stone walls atop rocky hills are a rare example of southern Indian military architecture linked to Maratha history.
Protection of Maratha Forts
Protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
The following 8 forts are designated Monuments of National Importance and receive direct conservation, restoration, and management support from the ASI:
Shivneri
Lohgad
Raigad
Suvarnadurg
Panhala
Vijaydurg
Sindhudurg
Gingee
Managed by Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology & Museums
The remaining 4 forts, while still part of the UNESCO site, fall under state-level stewardship and maintenance:
Salher
Rajgad
Khanderi
Pratapgad
This division ensures that each fort is protected through either national or state-level frameworks, maintaining their authenticity, structural integrity, and overall heritage value.
UNESCO Selection Criteria
UNESCO evaluates World Heritage nominees against ten selection criteria – a site must meet at least one to be inscribed. Below is a concise summary of all ten criteria (numbered i through x):
Criterion (i): Represents a masterpiece of human creative genius (exceptional artwork, monument, or engineering feat).
Criterion (ii): Exhibits an important interchange of human values over time or within a cultural area, influencing architecture, technology, or landscape design.
Criterion (iii): Bears a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or a civilization (living or disappeared).
Criterion (iv): Offers an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history.
Criterion (v): Is an outstanding example of traditional human settlement or land-use representative of a culture, or human interaction with the environment, especially if vulnerable under changing impacts.
Criterion (vi): Is directly or tangibly associated with events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs, or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance (this criterion is preferably used alongside another criterion).
Criterion (vii): Contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
Criterion (viii): Represents major stages of Earth’s history, including significant ongoing geological processes, or features of geomorphology (landforms).
Criterion (ix): Exemplifies significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
Criterion (x): Contains the most important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biodiversity, including habitats of threatened species of outstanding universal value.
A World Heritage Site can be cultural (criteria i–vi), natural (vii–x), or mixed (meeting both types).
In the case of the Maratha Military Landscapes, India proposed the site under criteria (iv) and (vi). These forts are outstanding examples of military architecture and landscape adaptation illustrating a significant stage in Indian history (Maratha dominance).
They are also tangibly associated with historic events and living traditions – from pivotal battles and governance systems to the enduring legacy of Maratha Swarajya (self-rule).
By meeting these two criteria, the Maratha forts demonstrated Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), warranting their place on the UNESCO ‘s World Heritage List in India.
Historical Significance of the Maratha Military Landscape Hill Forts
The Maratha Military Landscapes reflect a remarkable military and architectural genius.
Their designers exploited every advantage of the local geography. Steep escarpments and winding approaches forced invaders into chokepoints, while rock-cut cisterns and granaries inside ensured long sieges could be survived.
For example, Raigad’s entry path was a narrow, angled staircase hidden by the hillside, rendering cavalry or elephants ineffective.
Some forts had double curtain walls and massive bastions positioned to cover blind spots with cannon fire.
Collectively, the forts formed a defense-in-depth network: Salher guarded the northern frontier, coastal forts like Vijaydurg and Suvarnadurg protected maritime trade, and interior forts like Panhala controlled the Deccan plateau.
This cohesive system showcases the Marathas’ strategic acumen – they built a military landscape so effective that it underpinned their rise as a major power against larger empires.
Each fort also witnessed significant events (coronations, battles, treaties) that shaped Indian history, cementing their status as living monuments of Maratha valor and statecraft.
Cultural and Natural Heritage Value of the Maratha Military Landscapes
Natural Heritage Significance of Maratha Military Landscapes
Many of the Maratha forts are situated in ecologically rich regions such as the Western Ghats (Sahyadri Range) and the Konkan coast, offering both historical and environmental value.
Ecological Biodiversity:
Forts like Rajgad and Salher are surrounded by forests that support wildlife and native medicinal plants.
These areas act as unintentional biodiversity reserves, preserving ecological balance.
Water Conservation:
Forts contain rock-cut water tanks, step wells, and seasonal catchment systems which support local water cycles and biodiversity.
Eco-sensitive Regions:
Areas around Torna and Rajgad (near Pune) are declared eco-sensitive zones.
These regions are popular trekking destinations where visitors often spot endemic birds, butterflies, and flora.
Sustainable Fort Construction:
The Maratha builders used the natural terrain instead of altering it—constructing forts in harmony with slopes, forests, and coastlines.
This reflects environmentally conscious planning, preserving ecosystems while enhancing defense.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Beyond architectural marvels, the Maratha Military Landscape forts hold cultural and spiritual meaning for local communities, contributing to India's intangible heritage.
Festivals and Community Involvement:
Annual celebrations like Shivaji Jayanti are held at Shivneri, Raigad, and other key forts.
Events include traditional songs, reenactments, and public ceremonies, reinforcing historical memory.
Sacred Sites:
Many forts contain shrines and temples still active today:
Bhavani Temple in Pratapgad.
Shivaji Temple in Sindhudurg.
These sites serve as both religious places and symbols of resistance and spirituality.
Maratha Ideology & Civic Values:
The forts symbolize the idea of Swarajya (self-rule) initiated by Shivaji Maharaj.
They continue to inspire patriotism and local identity, linking past governance to present civic pride.
Living Traditions:
Oral histories, indigenous construction techniques, and village-led conservation practices are passed down through generations.
This keeps the cultural ecosystem alive, making the forts more than just archaeological remains.
Previous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Prior to the addition of the Maratha Military Landscapes, India had 43 World Heritage Sites. These span all three categories – cultural, natural, and mixed – reflecting the country’s vast heritage. Here’s a brief overview:
Category | Total | Key Sites | Highlights |
Cultural Sites | 36 | - Ajanta & Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) - Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh) - Sun Temple at Konark (Odisha) - Hampi (Karnataka) - Jaipur City (Rajasthan) - Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh) - Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu) - Red Fort (Delhi) - Rani ki Vav (Gujarat) - Santiniketan (West Bengal) | Ancient monuments, temples, forts, caves, and historic cities; reflect India's evolving architecture and cultural identity. |
Natural Sites | 7 | - Kaziranga & Manas National Parks (Assam) - Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal) - Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand) - Western Ghats (Multi-state) - Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) - Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh) | Noted for wildlife, biodiversity, and ecological processes; home to tigers, rhinos, and endemic flora. |
Mixed Site | 1 | - Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim) | Combines cultural and natural values; sacred landscape and biodiversity hotspot in Eastern Himalayas. |
India’s World Heritage journey began in 1983 when the first set of sites (Ajanta, Ellora, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal) were inscribed. With the inclusion of the Maratha Military Landscapes in 2025, India now has 44 sites in total, and ranks sixth globally in number of World Heritage Sites. This list is dynamic – new nominations are continually prepared (India has 60+ sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List awaiting future consideration) – reflecting the ongoing efforts to recognize and protect India’s diverse heritage.
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