Context:
In a remarkable decision 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 property to receive this recognition.
What is the Maratha Military Landscapes of India?
- A network of 12 strategically located forts built between the 17th and 19th centuries CE.
- Demonstrates the military vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire, especially under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- These forts show adaptive use of diverse terrains, highlighting self-reliant defence planning.
India’s World Heritage Status
- Total Sites (as of July 2025): 44
- Cultural: 36
- Natural: 7
- Mixed: 1
- India’s Global Rank:
- 6th globally
- 2nd in Asia-Pacific (after China)
- Tentative List Entries: 62
- Governing Authority: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- UNESCO Committee Membership: 2021–2025
