New Delhi : India’s proposal for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the 2024–25 cycle is called “Maratha Military Landscapes,” and it represents the remarkable military system and fortification that the Maratha rulers envisioned, the Culture Ministry announced on Monday.
Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Khanderi fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijay durg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee fort in Tamil Nadu are the twelve constituents of this nomination, according to a statement.
These components, which are distributed over different physiographic and geographical zones, show the Maratha rule’s strategic military prowess, officials claim.
According to the statement, the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India,” which emerged in the 17th and 19th centuries, “represent an extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers.”
It further stated that this will be India’s submission for 2024–2025 listing on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“This extraordinary network of forts, varying in hierarchies, scales and typological features, is a result of integrating the landscape, terrain and physiographic characteristics distinctive to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau and the Eastern Ghats in the Indian Peninsula,” the statement said.
The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ was included in the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2021, it said.
There are more than 390 forts in Maharashtra, out of which only 12 forts are selected under the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’, and eight of these forts are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The forts under ASI are Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Gingee fort; whereas Salher fort, Rajgad, Khanderi fort and Pratapgarh are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, government of Maharashtra, the statement said.
“In the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad and Gingee fort are hill forts, Pratapgad is hill-forest fort, Panhala is hill-plateau fort, Vijaydurg is coastal fort whereas Khanderi fort, Suvarnadurg and Sindhudurg are island forts,” the ministry said.
The inception of the Maratha military ideology dates back to 17th century during the reign of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by 1670 and continued through subsequent rules until Peshwa rule till 1818, the statement said.
‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ nomination is in the category of cultural property, the ministry said.
At present, there are 42 World Heritage Sites in India, out of which 34 are cultural sites, seven are natural sites whereas one is mixed site.
There are six UNESCO-designated sites in Maharashtra: five are cultural and one is natural. Ellora Caves (1983), Elephanta Caves (1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004), Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018), Ajanta Caves (inscribed in 1983), Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala is serial property in natural category (2012), the statement said.
It further stated that there are four requirements—vii to x—for natural sites and six criteria—i to vi—for cultural sites to be nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ has been nominated under three criteria: criterion iii—it must bear a unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization that is extant or has vanished; criterion iv—it must be an exceptional example of a particular type of building, architectural or technological ensemble, or landscape that illustrates a significant stage or stages of human history; and criterion vi—it must be directly or tangibly connected to events or surviving traditions, with concepts or convictions, and with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance, the statement stated.
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