New Delhi – In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the House that the property titled “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”, comprising 12 historic Maratha forts, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris this year.
The inscription was made under Criteria (iv) and (vi) of UNESCO’s Operational Guidelines, recognizing the outstanding universal value of Maratha military architecture and its cultural-historical relevance in shaping regional identity.
Details of the 12 Forts Inscribed:
The serial nomination includes the following forts, 11 from Maharashtra and 1 from Tamil Nadu:
- Raigad Fort, Raigad, Maharashtra
- Rajgad Fort, Pune, Maharashtra
- Shivneri Fort, Pune, Maharashtra
- Pratapgarh Fort, Satara, Maharashtra
- Panhala Fort, Kolhapur, Maharashtra
- Vijaydurg Fort, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
- Lohagad Fort, Pune, Maharashtra
- Salher Fort, Nashik, Maharashtra
- Sindhudurg Fort, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
- Suvarnadurg Fort, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
- Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Maharashtra
- Gingee Fort, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu
ASI Fund Allocation for Conservation:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation, maintenance, and provision of visitor amenities at these protected monuments. The Minister informed the Lok Sabha that fund allocation under ASI’s Mumbai Circle for such works over the past three years is as follows:
| Year | Funds Allocated (in ₹ Crores) |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | ₹15.35 Cr |
| 2023–24 | ₹15.56 Cr |
| 2024–25 | ₹12.58 Cr |
Conservation efforts include structural repair, restoration, improvement of access paths, landscaping, and facilities such as drinking water and sanitation.
UNESCO Tentative List – Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
In addition to the recently inscribed Maratha forts, two properties from Maharashtra remain on UNESCO’s Tentative List:
- Geoglyphs of Konkan Region of India (2022)
- Serial Nomination of Coastal Fortifications along the Konkan Coast (2024)
Madhya Pradesh currently leads with 11 properties in the Tentative List, including the historic ensembles of Orchha and Dhamnar, the Gond monuments of Ramnagar, and the Gwalior Fort, among others. These listings are preliminary steps toward future UNESCO nominations.