Maratha Military Landscapes Added to UNESCO World Heritage List

In 2025, another milestone was reached in preservation of heritage in India when the Maratha Military Landscapes, a distinctive group of hill fort, coastal fort traditions belonging to the Maratha Empire, were added on to the list of UNESCO World Heritage. This defines international recognition of the historic expression of the Indian military as well as the cultural richness and innovativeness of the country strategically.

Context

• The Maratha Military Landscapes of India is now a World Heritage site, as listed by UNESCO, becoming the 44th World Heritage location of India. 
• Such forts represent Maratha strategic military construction of the 17 th -19 th century CE in the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. 
• They are listed and are accepted to include their own outstanding universal value, which is composed of cultural and architectural and defense values. 
• Other big forts are Raigad, Shivneri, Pratapgad, Salher and Gingee. 

Key Details for RAS Mains

Strategic & Architectural Meaning

• Architectural Mastery: Use of landscape to adapt the fortification to-- hilltops, coastal belts and riverbanks.
• Brilliance in military: Constructed at 17 th-19 th centuries, it demonstrates the war tactics of the Marathas under Shivaji Maharaj and his heirs.
• Defense: The features such as zig zag walls, numerous gates, reservoirs of water and watch towers were customized to different terrains.

Geographical Spread of Forts

The sites are distributed across two major regions:

UNESCO Process of Choice

• Eligibility: It ought to fulfill one of the 10 selection criteria of UNESCO.
• Evaluation ICOMOS (cultural sites) and IUCN (natural sites) are the bodies that assess a site.
• Custodian body: World Heritage Committee.
• Nodal agency of India: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

India’s Global Heritage Ranking

Significance to India

• International Acclaim:Has increased the goodwill of India as a custodian of military and cultural legacy.
• Tourism and Conservation Uplift: Brings in foreign tourists and encourages heritage based development.
• Cultural Identity: Emphasizes the Maratha courage and rule, which made its citizens patriotic and sparked the interest in the past.

Conclusion for RPSC

Inclusion of the Maratha Military Landscapes in the World Heritage list at UNESCO is a big honour to military ingenuity, cultural heritage and conservation in India. It emphasizes the eternal strategic vision of Marathas and raises India to higher levels in the circles of world heritage -the past, pride, and international collaboration.