Maratha Military Landscapes Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

• 14 Jul 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News?

At the 47^th 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 44^th World Heritage Site, following the 2024 inscription of the Moidams of Charaideo, Assam.  

What is the Maratha Military Landscape? 

• About: The Maratha Military Landscapes of India include 12 major forts, mostly in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu, built or expanded between the late 17th and early 19th centuries.  
  • Strategically located in coastal and hilly areas, the forts formed a strong defence system that supported Maratha military power, trade, and territorial control.  
• 12 Major Forts: 
  • Maharashtra: Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg 
  • Tamil Nadu: Gingee Fort 
• Classification by Terrain:  
  • Hill Forts: Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, Gingee. 
  • Hill-Forest Fort: Pratapgad. 
  • Hill-Plateau Fort: Panhala. 
  • Coastal Fort: Vijaydurg. 
  • Island Forts: Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, Sindhudurg. 
• Protection: 8 forts (Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Gingee) are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 
  • 4 forts (Salher, Rajgad, Khanderi and Pratapgarh) are under the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra. 
• World Heritage Site Recognition:  The Maratha Military Landscape was nominated under UNESCO criteria (iv) and (vi) for its architectural, technological, and cultural significance, as well as its links to historic events.  
  • Such inscriptions aim to protect and promote heritage with Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) across 196 countries. 

Note: UNESCO, through the 1972 World Heritage Convention, helps countries identify and protect cultural and natural heritage sites. India joined the Convention in 1977 (a total of 196 countries have ratified the 1972 World Heritage Convention).  

• Every year, each State Party may propose just one site for consideration of the World Heritage Committee for inscription to the World Heritage List. 
• India ranks 6th globally and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific for the highest number of World Heritage Sites. With 62 sites on its Tentative List of the World Heritage, which is a mandatory threshold for any site to be considered as a World Heritage property in future. 

What are the UNESCO World Heritage Selection Criteria? 

• Criteria for Selection: To be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place must have OUV and meet at least one of ten selection criteria. These are outlined in the Operational Guidelines, which serve as the main reference for implementing the World Heritage Convention.  
  • Originally, there were six cultural and four natural criteria, but since 2005, a single unified set of ten criteria is used. The guidelines are updated regularly to reflect changes in how heritage is understood and protected. 
  • After selecting a site from the Tentative List, the State submits a detailed nomination file. The World Heritage Centre reviews it before sending it for evaluation. 
• Evaluation: A nominated property is independently evaluated by Advisory Bodies mandated by the World Heritage Convention: ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). 
  • ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property), an intergovernmental organization that provides the Committee with expert advice on cultural site conservation and training activities. 
• Inscription: After evaluation, the World Heritage Committee meets annually to decide on site inscriptions. It may also defer decisions and seek more information from States Parties. 
  • India became a member of the World Heritage Committee from 2021-25.  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims:

Q. What was the immediate reason for Ahmad Shah Abdali to invade India and fight the Third Battle of Panipat? (2010)

(a) He wanted to avenge the expulsion by Marathas of his viceroy Timur Shah from Lahore 

(b) The frustrated governor of Jullundhar Adina Beg Khan invited him to invade Punjab 

(c) He wanted to punish Mughal administration for non-payment of the revenues of the Chahar Mahal (Gujarat, Aurangabad, Sialkot & Pasrur) 

(d) He wanted to annex all the fertile plains of Punjab up to the borders of Delhi to his kingdom 

Ans: (a) 

Q. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: ( 2024)

1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas 
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya 

How many of the above properties were included in 2023? 

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) Only three 

(d) All four 

Ans: (b)

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Mains: 

Q.1 Safeguarding the Indian Art Heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (2018) 

Q.2 Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (2020)