Maharashtra: Maratha Military Forts Await UNESCO World Heritage Status As India's 2024-25 Nomination

Historians and archaeologists are waiting in anticipation as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization meets in Paris to select new sites to be added to the prestigious World Heritage List. Among the nominations is the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”, India’s entry for 2024-25. The 12 monuments in the entry include Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

India currently has 42 World Heritage sites, including both cultural and natural ones. If selected, the forts will be the seventh site from Maharashtra to feature on the list. The other forts in the list are Lohagad, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Khanderi, Sindhudurg, and Suvarnadurg, the last four being sea forts. Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu is also on the list as it was a Maratha bastion in the seventeenth century.

Gurmeet Rai, conservation architect,  heritage management specialist, and principal at Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative India Pvt Ltd School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, who was part of the team that initiated the nomination process, said that the Maratha Military Landscape, exemplified by the forts of Shivaji, stands as a testament to advanced military engineering. "It deserves a UNESCO World Heritage status," said Rai.

UNESCO does not provide funds to conserve listed monuments and sites. The government will have to continue caring for the sites. Dr Suhas Joshi of Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, Pune, a member of the monitoring committee for the UNESCO presentation, said an entry in the list will enhance the conservation process. "Conservation is not a one-time process. Once the forts get into the UNESCO list, we will have to maintain them according to world standards," said Joshi. "This will be good for the monuments' future."

Suraj Pandit, professor and head of the Department of Ancient Indian Culture and Department of Buddhist Studies, Sathaye College, Mumbai, agreed with Joshi. "An entry in the world's heritage list will mean better upkeep, improved signage, and other features. We will have to keep international standards after the monuments are inscribed as a world heritage site," said Pandit, who added that conservation policy mandates the preservation of the monuments in their current condition. 

Rai said conservation efforts must remain faithful to the core values of preserving historic architecture, materials, and landscape context, rather than replacing them with modern interventions and 'beautification'. "International experience shows that thoughtful, value-based conservation can both protect authenticity and enhance visitor experience," said Rai. Unfortunately, across the country, historic sites are being over beautified, and this is a huge loss to the cultural heritage of the country."

The Archaeological Survey of India, which is conserving the forts, began preparations for the nomination over two years ago. "The ASI is doing a good job in preserving the forts," said Joshi's.

The 10-day meeting in Paris will end on July 16. Historians are excited about the prospect of the forts featuring in an international heritage list. "We are eagerly waiting for the results," said Joshi. "The decision to nominate the forts for an international listing should have been made earlier. The forts are part of Maharashtra's cultural identity. The nomination was long-awaited and should have happened long back," said Pandit.

India currently has 42 World Heritage sites, cultural and natural. If selected, the Maratha forts will be seventh site from the state in the list that includes the Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, and the Western Ghats.