On Monday, it was announced that India would be nominating the Maratha Military Landscape for the UNESCO World Heritage List of 2024-2025. If you’ve wondered to yourself what it is, here is the answer. It comprises 12 forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and one is in Tamil Nadu. The landscape developed between the 17th and the 19th Century and the ideology is said to have emerged during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The 12 Forts Of The Maratha Military Landscape
These forts have been selected under the 3, 4 and 6 criteria. These specify that the nominated site should be a testimony to an exceptional cultural tradition or civilisation which might still exist or have disappeared. One of the criteria also specifies that the site has to be an exemplary architectural or technological marvel. It also has to be directly related to living traditions, ideas, beliefs and artistic works.
Eight of the 12 forts are protected by the Archaeological Survey Of India and the other four are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.
1. Gingee Fort, Tamil Nadu
Gingee Fort pic.twitter.com/RBkzfGW9JV
— Helena Berkeley🇳🇵 (@ThunderBearFire) May 20, 2022
The only fort which is located in Tamil Nadu, this particular fort is protected by the Archaeological Survey Of India.
2. Khanderi Fort, Khanderi Island
For landlubbers –> Khanderi Island / Fort / Lighthouse off Alibaug (near Mumbai).
An imp light for Mariners pic.twitter.com/i7X1BPEGTN— Сурин Махан (@SurinMahan) November 9, 2020
Protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of Maharashtra, this fort is located on an island along the coast of Maharashtra.
3. Lohagad Fort, Pune
Lohgad Fort situated at a height of 1,303m(3,389ft)in the western ghats of Maharashtra India. Hail Shivaji 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aHJLfh4iwc
— vi (@MrBharadwaj_) December 22, 2020
Lohagad is one of the six hill forts of the Maratha Military Landscape. The network of forts which comprise the landscape are of distinct features to provide fortification par excellence.
4. Panhala Fort, Kolhapur
Panhala Fort :In #Kolhapur dist. It was built by #RajaBhoja IN 12th Century. Chhtrapati #ShivajiMaharaj escaped from #PanhalaFort to #Vishalgad. The statue of brave fighter #ShivaKashid on the fort is the tourists attraction. Must Visit #VisitMaharashtra #FortsInMaharashtra pic.twitter.com/MqCEhb4Onu
— MAHA INFO CENTRE (@micnewdelhi) June 15, 2019
This fort is distinctive in that it is the only hill-plateau fort. The diversity of the forts showcases the military skills of the Maratha empire.
5. Pratapgad Fort, Pune
Pratapgad Fort !!
Pratapgad is a hill fort in Maharashtra. Situated close to the famous hill station of Mahabaleshwar in the district of Satara, the citadel rises to an elevation of about 3500 feet from the ground. pic.twitter.com/g4VBLK4UjF
— Lost Temple’s (@Lost_Temples) March 20, 2022
The only forest-hill fort in the network, it is protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums of Maharashtra.
6. Raigad Fort, Raigad
10 Extremely Beautiful Forts built by Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
1. Raigad Fort pic.twitter.com/5vZyQYdH0f
— Desi Thug (@desi_thug1) February 19, 2023
Another hill fort in the network of forts, its preservation is overseen by the Archaeological Survey Of India.
7. Rajgad Fort, Pune
The King of all forts in maharashtra : Rajgad fort trek 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/lEF1v94Wei
— Traveling Bharat (@TravelingBharat) December 27, 2021
The protection of this fort is the responsibility of the Directorate Of Archaeology and Museums of Maharashtra and it is a kind of hill fort.
8. Salher Fort, Nashik
Salher Fort
Salher is a pyramid shape fort, located near Waghamba in Satana tehsil in Nasik district of Maharashtra, India. It is the site of the highest hill in the Sahyadri mountains and the second highest peak at 1,567 metres after @LostTemple7 @punarutthana @ReclaimTemples pic.twitter.com/HnqkqVJ5m6— Laxmisha (@Laxmisha5) April 17, 2020
Another hill fort in Maharashtra, it is protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums.
9. Shivneri Fort, Pune
Shivneri fort located in Junnar was the birthplace of the great Maratha warrior Chatarpati Shivaji Maharaj..Shivneri Fort is famous for good trekking experience and provides great scenic views
[📷:- Trekjaade ] pic.twitter.com/ORich1KddB
— Desi Thug (@desi_thug1) January 14, 2022
This hill fort is a popular tourist attraction in Pune and is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.
10. Sindhudurg Fort, Malvan
Sindhudurg – Fort that proudly echoes the timeless tales of valour!
Spread across an island off the coast of crescent shaped Malvan beach, the fort was once the coastal capital of the Maratha Empire. #DekhoApnaDesh @maha_tourism
PC: Piyush Tanpure pic.twitter.com/DTKBWYk5QK
— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) May 6, 2022
One of the three island forts in the network, the Sindhudurg is also protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
11. Suvarnadurg Fort, Dapoli
Suvarnadurg Fort, India pic.twitter.com/DjjAWTPWoG
— Salahuddin Almany (@almany_khattab) December 1, 2016
Located in Dapoli, it is an island fort which is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
12. Vijaydurg Fort, Vijaydurg
6. Vijaydurg Fort pic.twitter.com/JbOKdwNaJv
— Desi Thug (@desi_thug1) December 7, 2023
This is the only coastal fort in the network and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Also Read: What’s Unique About Karnataka’s Shravanabelagola & Lakkundi, Proposed UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Have you ever been to any of these forts? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Images
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.