Special Correspondent
Mumbai: In a historic moment for Maharashtra and the nation, 12 iconic forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the nomination of these forts under the theme “Maratha Military Landscape of India.”
These 12 forts 11 located in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu (Gingee Fort) – were among seven heritage site proposals submitted by India’s Ministry of Culture to UNESCO. Maharashtra had formally submitted the proposal in February 2025, and after a thorough evaluation, UNESCO approved their inclusion in the prestigious list.
The 12 forts are:
Raigad
Rajgad
Pratapgad
Panhala
Shivneri
Lohgad
Salher
Sindhudurg
Vijaydurg
Suvarnadurg
Khanderi
Gingee (Tamil Nadu)
“These forts are not just stone and structure; they are living testaments to the courage, strategy, and vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” said CM Fadnavis. “This recognition is a victory for all Shiv devotees across the world. I sincerely thank Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and support in securing this honour.”
The forts, spread across the Sahyadri ranges, coastal belts, and forested terrains, showcase advanced military architecture tailored to their unique natural environments. Their invisible entrances, strategic placements, and defensive brilliance deeply impressed UNESCO evaluators.
A delegation from UNESCO visited the forts as part of the selection process. Later, a presentation was made at UNESCO headquarters by an Indian delegation led by Ashish Shelar. Twenty UNESCO member countries with voting rights were engaged diplomatically by Indian representatives – including Chief Minister Fadnavis, External Affairs officials, and permanent representative Mr. Sharma – to garner support.
All 20 countries voted unanimously in favour of the nomination, officially declaring these 12 forts as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“Our forts will now be placed on the global tourism map and featured on UNESCO’s official website,” CM Fadnavis stated. “The world will now recognize the strategic brilliance and historical significance of Shivaji Maharaj’s fort architecture. This is a proud moment for Maharashtra and India.”
