Maratha Military Landscapes of India have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 44th entry.
New Delhi, India, July 11, 2025 — In a significant decision made during the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s official nomination for the 2024-25 cycle, titled ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India,’ has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This achievement marks India’s 44th property to receive such recognition. This global honor celebrates India’s rich cultural legacy, highlighting its diverse architectural traditions, regional identities, and historical continuity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the people of India on this historic milestone.
Maratha Military Landscapes of India
Covering the 17th to 19th centuries CE, this remarkable network of twelve forts reflects the strategic military vision and architectural brilliance of the Maratha Empire.
During the Committee Meeting, 18 out of 20 State Parties expressed their support for India’s proposal to inscribe this vital site on the list. The discussion of the proposal lasted for 59 minutes. Following the positive recommendations from these 18 State Parties, all member states, along with UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, and the Advisory Bodies of UNESCO (ICOMOS and IUCN), congratulated the Indian delegation on this significant opportunity.
The Maratha Military Landscape of India was nominated for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage List under criteria (iv) and (vi). This nomination recognizes the site’s exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition, its architectural and technological significance, and its deep connections to historical events and traditions.
The goal of including these heritage sites in UNESCO’s list is to preserve and promote shared heritage that embodies Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found in cultural, natural, and mixed properties across 196 countries.
Source: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
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