UNESCO World Heritage status for 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Sub : History

Sec : Art and culture

Context:

A delegation led by Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Ashish Shelar, departed for Paris to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Details of the proposal:

The state has proposed the inclusion of 12 forts under the concept of ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India’ for UNESCO World Heritage status.
These forts are directly linked to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and represents Maratha military architecture.

About the Forts:

The nomination comprises 12 forts: Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee in Tamil Nadu.
Developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, these forts epitomize an exceptional fortification and military system envisioned by Maratha rulers.
The forts, spanning diverse landscapes like the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats, reflect Maratha military ideology and strategic dominance.

Salher Fort	Salher Fort played a role in the Maratha–Mughal wars, with several battles fought here. The fort is renowned for its strategic location.
Shivneri Fort	Birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1630.
Khanderi Fort	A coastal fort built by the Marathas to defend against naval threats. Khanderi has a lighthouse and strong fortifications.
Raigad Fort	Raigad Fort was the capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation took place here in 1674.
Rajgad Fort	Served as the first capital of the Maratha Empire before Raigad.
Pratapgad Fort	Famous for the Battle of Pratapgad (1659) between Shivaji Maharaj and Bijapur’s general Afzal Khan.
Suvarnadurg Fort and Sindhudurg Fort	Built on small islands in the Arabian sea. Built to protect the Konkan coastline from foreign invasions.
Gingee Fort	Often called the “Troy of the East” due to its historical importance and strategic position. Gingee is a complex of three hill forts: Krishnagiri, Chandrayandurg, and Rajagiri