12 forts of Maratha period included in World Heritage Site: Forts like Sindhu and Shivneri are in the list; Chhatrapati Shivaji was crowned in Raigad

12 forts of the Maratha period have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. These include 11 forts of Maharashtra. At the same time, a Gingee fort of Tamil Nadu is also part of the list. All the forts were built between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The 11 forts of Maharashtra include forts like Sindhu and Shivneri. Raigad Fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji was crowned is also in this list. Apart from this, Salher, Lohgarh, Khanderi, Rajgarh, Pratapgarh, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg forts are included.

This list was announced in the 47th meeting of UNESCO in Paris. This has given international recognition to Maratha history and heritage. Now a total of 44 heritage sites of India have been included in the World Heritage List.

Pictures of forts included in the World Heritage List…

1. Salher Fort

Salher Fort is a historical fort located in Nashik district of Maharashtra. It is situated in the Sahyadri mountain range and is at an altitude of about 5,156 feet above sea level. It is considered to be the highest fort in Maharashtra and the second highest fort in India.

One has to trek to reach the fort. The path is hilly and difficult, but the waterfalls, valleys and greenery seen on the way make it exciting. The surrounding view from the top of the fort looks very beautiful.

2. Shivneri Fort

Shivneri Fort is built on a hill and was strategically fortified. Its walls are strong and there are deep trenches all around, which kept it safe from enemy attacks.

Shivneri Fort is a famous historical fort located near Junnar city in Pune district of Maharashtra. This fort is especially famous because Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born here on 19 February 1630. The fort also has a temple of Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji Maharaj was named.

To reach the fort, one has to go through stairs. There are seven doors to go inside, each of which has its own name and significance. Inside the fort, water ponds, places where soldiers lived and the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj can still be seen.

3. Lohgarh Fort

Lohgad Fort is a famous historical fort located in Pune district of Maharashtra. This fort is built on a hill of Sahyadri Mountains near Lonavala and is about 3,400 feet above sea level. “Lohgad” means “iron-strong fort”, and this name reflects the strength of this fort.

The history of this fort is associated with many dynasties, but it gained the most fame when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took control of it in 1648. This fort played an important role in the defense of the Maratha Empire for a long time.

4. Khanderi Fort

There is also a lighthouse in the fort, which is now used for navigation. Also, cannons, water tanks and remains of old bases of soldiers can still be seen today.

Khanderi Fort is located on an island in the middle of the sea near Alibaug, in Raigad district of Maharashtra. This fort is located in the Arabian Sea and is about 5 kilometers away from the mainland. It was built in 1660 on the orders of Shivaji Maharaj, so that the Marathas could maintain control over the sea routes of Mumbai and the surrounding areas.

The main purpose of Khanderi Fort was to protect against sea attacks and increase the strength of the navy. This fort became a big challenge for the British and the Portuguese, as it strengthened the Maratha navy. Later, the name of this fort is also associated with Kanhoji Angre, who was the head of the Maratha navy.

Today Khanderi Fort is a famous tourist destination. One can reach here by boat. This fort not only symbolizes the sea power of the Maratha Empire but is also an attractive place for those who love history and adventure.

5. Raigad Fort

Raigad Fort is a historical and grand fort located in Raigad district of Maharashtra. This fort is built on a hill at an altitude of about 2,700 feet above sea level. This fort was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and it was here that he was declared the Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire in 1674.

Raigad Fort was built in the 15th century, but Shivaji Maharaj gave it historical importance by making it the capital of the Maratha Empire. This fort houses the Rajmahal, Bazaar Peth, Nyaya Sabha and the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj. The Samadhi of his loyal dog is also built nearby.

6. Rajgad Fort

Rajgad Fort is an ancient and historical fort located in Pune district of Maharashtra. This fort is situated at an altitude of about 4,350 feet above sea level in the Sahyadri mountain range. This fort was once the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The old name of Rajgad Fort was Murumbadev, but when Shivaji Maharaj made it the capital of the Maratha Empire, it was named Rajgad. This fort is famous for its strong structure, strategic position and huge complex. Many doors, caves, water tanks and remains of palaces can be seen here.

This fort was not only important for wars, but Shivaji Maharaj’s wife Saibai also died here and her last rites were also performed here.

7. Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad Fort is located near Mahabaleshwar in Satara district of Maharashtra. This fort is built on a hill at an altitude of about 3,500 feet above sea level. Pratapgad Fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656 to control the surrounding area and provide protection from enemies.

This fort is best known for the war with Afzal Khan in 1659. Shivaji Maharaj defeated Afzal Khan near this fort, which was a huge victory in Maratha history.

Statues of Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan have also been installed near the fort to commemorate this incident. The fort also has an ancient temple of Goddess Bhavani, where Shivaji Maharaj received the sword.

8. Suvarnadurg

Suvarnadurg Fort is a center of attraction for history lovers and tourists. It is considered a symbol of the maritime power, strategy and glorious past of the Maratha Empire.

Suvarnadurg is a historical fort located in the sea between Harihareshwar and Harne, near Dapoli in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. The fort is built on a small island in the Arabian Sea and can be reached by boat from the shore.

Suvarnadurg was built in the 16th century during the Adilshahi dynasty, but it got its real identity during the period of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji Maharaj took control of this fort to increase the power of the Maratha Navy. Later this fort remained under Kanhoji Angre, who was the brave commander of the Maratha Navy.

The name Suvarnadurg means “golden fort”, which reflects its strength and glory. The thick walls of the fort, ancient cannons and marine security system make it special. This fort was built at a strategic location to prevent sea attacks from enemies.

9. Panhala Fort

Panhala Fort is a huge and historical fort located in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. This fort is built at an altitude of about 3,200 feet above sea level and is spread over the Sahyadri hills. Panhala Fort was strategically very important and has been the stronghold of many dynasties.

This fort is most closely associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He conquered this fort from Adilshahi in 1659 and planned many of his wars from here. The fort was built in such a way that it could withstand a long siege.

10. Vijay Durg

The fort was named “Vijayadurg”, which means “Fort of Victory”. The walls of this fort are 40 feet high and 300 years old. There is also a secret sea tunnel here which was used during the war.

Vijayadurg Fort is located near Malvan in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. This fort is built on a rock on the shore of the Arabian Sea and is considered to be one of the strongest sea forts in western India.

Vijayadurg Fort was built in the 13th century by King Bhoj, but it gained strength and identity during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He made this fort the main center of the Maratha Navy and protected it with strong walls and tunnels to protect it from enemies.

Vijayadurg Fort is today a center of attraction for history lovers and tourists. A spectacular view of the sea is seen from here. This fort is a symbol of naval power, valor and strategy of the Maratha Empire.

11. Sindhudurg

Today Sindhudurg Fort is a popular tourist destination. It can be reached by boat. This fort not only shows the power of the Maratha Navy.

Sindhudurg Fort is located on a small island in the middle of the Arabian Sea, near Malvan in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. This fort was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1664 to protect the maritime borders of the Maratha Empire.

This fort was built in three years and special stone brought from about 100 km away was used in it. The walls of the fort are about 30 feet high and very thick, which made it safe from enemy attacks.

There are many wells, temples and residential areas inside the fort. The special thing is that the handprints of Shivaji Maharaj are safe on a stone here.

12. Gingee Fort

Today, this fort is a great place for history lovers and trekkers. This fort is a great example of Maratha influence, military strategy and architecture in South India.

Gingee Fort is an ancient fort located in Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu. This fort is spread over three hills Rajgiri, Krishnagiri and Chandrayandurg and is considered to be the “strongest fort in South India”.

The construction of this fort was started by the Chola kings in the 9th century, but it was used and strengthened by many dynasties between the 13th and 17th centuries. Later this fort was also under the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In 1690, he took it under his control to protect it from the Mughals.

Gingee Fort is spread over an area of ​​about 7 kilometers and its high walls, secret tunnels, temples, reservoirs and cannon positions can still be seen today. The design of the fort is such that it was very difficult for the enemies to conquer it.

India’s name in UNESCO’s list for the second time in 3 months

This is the second time in the last three months that India’s name has been included in a UNESCO list. On April 18, UNESCO included Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and Bharat Muni’s Natyasastra in its Memory of the World Register.

Natyashastra has been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared it on X.

Memory of the World Register was started in 1992 UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is an international initiative, which was started by UNESCO in 1992. Its objective is to identify, preserve and make the important documentary heritage of the world accessible to the people.

This is an international register which includes historical documents, manuscripts, rare books, pictures, films, audio recordings, etc. from around the world, which have historical, cultural or social importance.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat gave this information on X. He shared a copy of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.

Ramcharitmanas was included in 2024 In 2024, three Indian literary works Ramcharitmanas, Panchtantra, and Sahridaya Lok-Lokan were included in the ‘Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific Region (MOWCAP)’ register. This is the first time that three works of India have been included together at once.

‘Ramcharitmanas’ was written by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century in Awadhi language and is considered one of the best works of Indian literature and Hinduism. At the same time, Panchtantra by Pandit Vishnu Sharma is a compilation of stories.