About Maratha Military Landscapes of India

Maratha Military Landscapes of India are a group of 12 ancients forts that were declared as UNESCO World Heitage Site in 2025. These forts belong to the period in between the 17th and 19th centuries, and are spread across Maharastra and Tamilnadu states, in India.

Of the 12 forts, 11 forts are iin Maharastra state and one in Tamilnadu state. Gingee fort is the lone fort in the Maratha Military Landscapes of India from Tamilnadu state.

This recognition marks India’s 44th entry into UNESCO’s heritage list and acknowledges the Maratha strategy of integrating geography with architecture. The forts showcase military planning ranging from high-altitude defense to coastal and naval fortifications. The nomination was supported by India’s Ministry of Culture and evaluated by ICOMOS, gaining approval at UNESCO’s session in Paris in 2025. These ancient forts were included in the Tentative World Heritage List in 2021.

 Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj started developing existing forts or building new forts during his reign in the 17th entury. The construction of these forts were continued till the 19th century by other Maratha rulers, including the Peshwa rulers of the 19th century. 

11 Strategic Maratha Military Landscapes of India Across Maharashtra

The follwing 11 forts in Maharastra represent distinct categories based on geography and design:

• Hill forts: Salher, Shivneri, Rajgad, Raigad, and Lohagad
• Hill-forest fort: Pratapgad
• Hill-plateau fort: Panhala
• Island forts: Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, Sindhudurg
• Coastal fort: Vijaydurg

Each fort played a dual role—military and administrative. Raigad Fort, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned, and Pratapgad, known for the famed battle with Afzal Khan, are prominent examples. The island and coastal forts, such as Sindhudurg and Khanderi, highlight maritime innovation, with fortified sea walls and naval defense mechanisms crucial for controlling the Konkan coast.

Gingee Fort: Tamil Nadu’s Lone Representation

Among the twelve, Gingee Fort stands out as the sole representative from Tamil Nadu. Located in Villupuram district, the fort spans over 2,700 acres across three rocky hills—Krishnagiri, Rajagiri, and Chandrayandurg. Originally fortified by the Cholas and later expanded by the Marathas under Shivaji and Rajaram, Gingee Fort earned the title “Troy of the East” for its impregnability.

The fort served briefly as a Maratha capital in the south and illustrates their reach beyond the Deccan Plateau. With its granaries, temples, citadels, and high walls, Gingee Fort embodies the spirit of Maratha resilience and architectural brilliance in a distinctly southern setting.

Conclusion

Each fort played a dual role—military and administrative. Raigad Fort, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was crowned, and Pratapgad, known for the famed battle with Afzal Khan, are prominent examples. The island and coastal forts, such as Sindhudurg and Khanderi, highlight maritime innovation, with fortified sea walls and naval defense mechanisms crucial for controlling the Konkan coast.

UNESCO’s recognition of the Maratha Military Landscapes has not only brought international attention but also boosted conservation efforts and cultural pride in India. This listing reaffirms the Marathas’ lasting legacy in Indian military architecture—where forts like Gingee add depth to a heritage that spans states and centuries.