Last week, the Ministry of Culture announced that India will be nominating the ‘Maratha Military Landscape’ for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25. The proposal consists of a total of 12 components included in this nomination.
Maratha Military Landscape
The Maratha Military Landscapes of India nomination comprises twelve components, which are spread across various geographical and physiographic regions, serving to illustrate the strategic military prowess during the Maratha rule.
Out of the over 390 forts in Maharashtra, only 12 have been chosen for inclusion in the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. Among these, eight forts are under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India; Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, in Maharahtra and Gingee Fort in Tamilnadu. Meanwhile, Salher Fort, Rajgad, Khanderi Fort, and Pratapgarh are safeguarded by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.
Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee Fort are hill forts, while Pratapgad is a hill-forest fort and Panhala is a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg is a coastal fort, whereas Khanderi Fort, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg are island forts.
The Maratha Military Landscapes emerged between the 17th and 19th centuries, and embody an exceptional fortification and military structure devised by the Maratha leaders. This remarkable array of forts, characterised by diverse hierarchies, sizes, and typological attributes, reflects the fusion of landscape, terrain, and distinctive physiographic traits inherent to the Sahyadri mountain ranges, the Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and the Eastern Ghats within the Indian Peninsula.
The inception of the Maratha Military ideology dates back to the reign of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by 1670 CE and continued through subsequent rules until Peshwa rule till 1818 CE.
The Maratha Military Landscapes of India is nominated for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the cultural criteria category. Specifically, it fulfils criteria (iii), (iv), and (vi).
Criterion (iii) highlights its unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization, that is living or disappeared. Criterion (iv) recognizes it as an outstanding example of a building, architectural, or technological ensemble representing significant stages in human history. Lastly, criterion (vi) acknowledges its direct or tangible association with events, living traditions, ideas, beliefs, and artistic or literary works of outstanding universal significance.
UNESCO World Heritage List
The UNESCO World Heritage List is a catalogue of cultural, natural, or mixed sites around the world that have been deemed of outstanding value to humanity. It aims to identify and protect places that contribute to the collective heritage of humanity. The benefits of being on the UNESCO World Heritage List include:
Recognition of Outstanding Value: Inclusion on the list signifies that a site possesses exceptional cultural, natural, or mixed significance, contributing to the shared heritage of humanity.
Preservation and Conservation: UNESCO provides a framework for the protection and conservation of listed sites, ensuring that they are maintained for future generations. This often involves international cooperation and support.
Cultural Exchange and Understanding: World Heritage Sites foster cultural exchange and understanding among nations and peoples. They serve as symbols of shared heritage, promoting dialogue and cooperation.
Tourism and Economic Benefits: Being on the list often attracts tourists, leading to economic benefits for the local communities. Increased tourism can contribute to the sustainable development of the region.
International Assistance and Collaboration: Listed sites can receive international assistance and collaboration for conservation efforts, helping to address challenges and threats to their integrity.
However, it’s worth noting that while the World Heritage designation offers numerous benefits, it also comes with responsibilities. Countries with listed sites are expected to adhere to the principles of the World Heritage Convention and take measures to protect and preserve the integrity of these sites for future generations. The failure to adhere to the guidelines causes a loss of World Heritage Status.
At present, there are 42 World Heritage sites in India, out of which thirty-four are cultural sites, seven are natural sites and one is mixed site. In Maharashtra, there are six World Heritage Sites, five cultural and one natural these are, Ajanta Caves (1983), Ellora Caves (1983), Elephanta Caves (1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004), Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018). While the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are serial sites in the natural category (2012).
The Maratha Military Landscapes of India included in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2021 is the sixth cultural heritage site nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage List from Maharashtra.