The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee (2025) held in Paris. It is India’s 44th World Heritage Site and reflects the strategic and architectural brilliance of the Maratha Empire from the 17th to 19th centuries CE. It was listed under the UNESCO Criteria (iv) – Architectural/technological significance, (vi) – Association with historic traditions. 18 of 20 State Parties supported India’s proposal
About the Maratha Military Landscapes
- Comprises 12 Forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, each reflecting regional adaptation of military strategy and architectural styles.
- Demonstrates sophisticated geographic and strategic planning by the Marathas.
| Type of Fort | Forts |
| Hill Forts | Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, Gingee |
| Hill-Forest Fort | Pratapgad |
| Hill-Plateau Fort | Panhala |
| Coastal Fort | Vijaydurg |
| Island Forts | Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, Sindhudurg |
Forts under Protection
| Protection Authority | Forts |
| Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, Gingee |
| Govt. of Maharashtra (DoA & Museums) | Salher, Rajgad, Khanderi, Pratapgad |
Significance of the Inscription
- Recognizes the Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) of the forts as living testimony to Maratha military traditions, innovation, and architectural excellence.
- Marks a global acknowledgement of India’s rich cultural legacy and state capacity in preservation.
- Strengthens India’s position as 6th globally and 2nd in Asia-Pacific for number of World Heritage Sites.
India & World Heritage
| Metric | Status |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 44 |
| Sites in Tentative List | 62 |
| 2023 Inclusion | Moidams of Charaideo, Assam |
| World Heritage Convention | Adopted in 1972, ratified by 196 countries |
| India’s Annual Nomination Limit | One site/year |
| Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | Nodal agency for World Heritage matters |
| ICOMOS | Advisory body for cultural heritage under UNESCO. |