New Delhi/Paris, 11 July (H.S.): At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s nomination ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking India’s 44th site to achieve this status. This recognition highlights India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions in architecture and history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, celebrated this achievement on behalf of the Indian populace.

The Maratha Military Landscapes, consisting of twelve forts built between the 17th and 19th centuries, reflect the strategic military foresight and architectural prowess of the Maratha Empire. If inscribed, it will be the seventh site in Maharashtra to receive UNESCO recognition.

The Cultural Ministry announced the nomination on January 29, 2024, indicating that the landscapes would be recognized under cultural criteria—specifically criterion (iii) for exceptional cultural tradition, (iv) for outstanding architectural examples, and (vi) for connections to significant events and beliefs.

Currently, 32 cultural sites globally, including Port Royal in Jamaica and Gdynia in Poland, are also under consideration. For updates on the 47th session and to view the proceedings, the public can access the livestream on UNESCO’s official website.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar