Historic recognition: 12 forts of ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ on world heritage list; 7 sites fall under Mumbai Circle | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: In a landmark moment for Maharashtra, 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris Friday. “The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ represent extraordinary fortification and military systems envisioned by the Maratha rulers,” says the citation. While 11 on them are in Maharashtra, 12th is in TN.“It’s the first of its kind of nomination from India – 12 forts as a serial nomination of a single site representing the great fortifications legacy of the Marathas,” said Shikha Jain of DRONAH, a research and documentation organisation commissioned by the govt to prepare the dossier and presentations required for the Unesco process. “Two points that are truly significant in this inscription are the Maratha defence network expanding in three axes of forts, and Swarajya or self-rule of the Marathas that subsequently impacted India’s freedom struggle,” Jain told TOI from Paris.Mumbai Circle home to 7 of 12 forts on Unesco listNanda Raut, deputy secretary of the state’s culture and tourism dept, who worked on the project from Feb 2024, said, “Eleven of these forts are within Maharashtra, while the twelfth is in Tamil Nadu. I am so pleased I played a small part in this effort. This honour will draw more tourists to the forts. But it brings with it a big responsibility as well. We as citizens have to preserve and protect these forts and ensure their cleanliness.”Out of the 12 new sites from India declared as world heritage site by Unesco, 11 are in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu. Of this 7forts are in Mumbai Circle and 4 forts are from across Maharashtra under Directorate of Archaeology and Museums,” said Abhijit Ambekar, superintending archaeologist, (Mumbai Circle) Archaeological Survey of India.This is indeed a landmark moment for Maharashtra, whose Shivaji and Maratha era forts have been firmly placed on the international heritage map.Shikha Jain of DRONAH was commissioned the dossier by department of archaeology and museums. This agency drafted all the technical presentations required by ICOMOS. ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) is an NGO associated with Unesco, dedicated to the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of cultural heritage places. It evaluates properties proposed for World Heritage List.Jain told TOI , “We are celebrating in Paris! It is a great achievement.” Both Raut and Jain gave credit to various officials of the culture ministry, ASI officials and state govt including CM Devendra Fadnavis.CM Fadnavis tweeted on Friday, “Historic! Proud! Glorious moment! The 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are now on Unesco’s World Heritage List! It gives me immense joy to share that the 12 forts, embodying the grandeur of our nation’s beloved deity, the king of the people, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, have been included in Unesco’s World Heritage List. They have now been recognised for their ‘outstanding universal value’.”A well-known heritage conservationist from the city who has restored numerous public and private structures, said, “It is a happy and proud moment, especially as these forts were so well planned and designed and served an important role historically. I hope they are looked after well as per WHS (World Heritage Site) norms.”