India’s rich history received a global nod as UNESCO inscribed the Maratha Military Landscapes on its World Heritage List, honouring the strategic brilliance and resilience of the Maratha Empire. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday celebrated the addition of the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, calling it a proud moment for all Indians.
In a post on X, he praised the Maratha Empire’s legacy of strong governance, military strength, cultural pride, and its resistance to injustice.
Every Indian is elated with this recognition.
These ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and 1 is in Tamil Nadu.
When we speak of the glorious Maratha Empire, we associate it with good governance, military strength, cultural… https://t.co/J7LEiOAZqy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2025
“These 12 impressive forts, 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu, reflect the courage and skills of the Marathas,” Modi said, encouraging citizens to visit and learn more about this part of India’s history.
These structures, built between the 17th and 19th centuries, were designed to suit the rugged terrain of the Sahyadri Hills, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj playing a key role in their development.
The 12 forts named are:
- Salher
- Shivneri
- Lohgad
- Khanderi
- Raigad
- Rajgad
- Pratapgad
- Suvarnadurg
- Panhala
- Vijaydurg
- Sindhudurg
- Gingee Fort (Tamil Nadu)
With this inclusion, India now has 44 World Heritage sites, strengthening its image as a centre of culture and history.
India’s Culture Ministry said the inclusion was a tribute to the country’s cultural and historical legacy. Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat thanked PM Modi for his continued efforts to protect India’s heritage.
Of the 390 Maratha forts found in Maharashtra, only 12 were selected for the list. Eight of them are already protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
India now ranks 6th in the world and 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region for the number of UNESCO sites. It also has 62 properties on the Tentative List, which are being considered for future recognition.
