In a proud achievement this year, India’s remarkable Maratha Military Landscapes has earned global recognition as the 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site. The decision was taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th place to receive this prestigious global recognition.UNESCO has inscribed 26 new properties into its World Heritage List. The session which was organised in Paris saw inclusion of 26 that includes one mixed-use site, four extraordinary natural landscapes, and 21 culturally rich locations. Among these, India’s Maratha Military Landscapes too has earned its place. Let’s have a look at other heritage sites:The 26 new additions are as following:Cambodian Memorial Sites – Cambodia (Asia) – CulturalCultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal – Tajikistan (Asia) – CulturalDiy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape – Cameroon (Africa) – CulturalFaya Palaeolandscape – UAE (Asia) – CulturalForest Research Institute Park – Malaysia (Asia) – CulturalFunerary Tradition, Prehistoric Sardinia – Italy (Europe) – CulturalMaratha Military Landscapes – India (Asia) – CulturalMegaliths of Carnac – France (Europe) – CulturalMinoan Palatial Centres – Greece (Europe) – CulturalMount Mulanje Cultural Landscape – Malawi (Africa) – CulturalMurujuga Cultural Landscape – Australia (Australia) – CulturalPetroglyphs along Bangucheon Stream – South Korea (Asia) – CulturalRock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave – Russia (Europe/Asia) – CulturalSardis & Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe – Türkiye (Europe/Asia) – Cultural17th-Century Port Royal – Jamaica (North America) – CulturalColonial Transisthmian Route – Panama (North America) – CulturalPalaces of King Ludwig II – Germany (Europe) – CulturalPrehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley – Iran (Asia) – CulturalWixarika Route to Wirikuta – Mexico (North America) – CulturalXixia Imperial Tombs – China (Asia) – CulturalYen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son Complex – Vietnam (Asia) – CulturalCavernas do Peruaçu National Park – Brazil (South America) – NaturalCoastal & Marine Ecosystems of Bijagós – Guinea-Bissau (Africa) – NaturalGola-Tiwai Complex – Sierra Leone (Africa) – NaturalPeruaçu River Canyon – Brazil (South America) – NaturalMøns Klint Chalk Cliffs – Denmark (Europe) – NaturalSpotlight on India’s Maratha FortificationsMore about the Maratha Military Landscapes
The Maratha Military Landscapes is a combination of 12 forts including such as Raigad, Shivneri and Gingee, among others. These were constructed sometime between the 17th and 19th centuries across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.These forts are the living examples of the Marathas’ brilliant defensive architectural expertise and tell the story of an important era in Indian history. These 26 sites, from fortresses and palaces to coastal beauties, shine a light on the diversity and depth of our shared heritage.
