UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: India’s 44th UNESCO site, the Maratha Military Landscapes, was inscribed in July 2025. Know the history, significance, and key exam facts for UPSC, SSC, Railways, and more.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India — Latest Update 📚
India’s Newest UNESCO Entry: Maratha Military Landscapes
On July 12, 2025, during the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Paris, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India have been officially inscribed as India’s 44th World Heritage Site. This network of 12 forts—11 located in Maharashtra plus Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu—showcases historic military architecture developed between the 17th and 19th centuries under Maratha rule
What Are the Maratha Military Landscapes?
This serial inscription includes strategically located forts such as Salher, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, and Panhala. Together, they reflect a marvellous example of fortification planning, defense engineering and Maratha socio-political control over rugged terrain
Conservation & Buffer Zones Around Salher Fort
Following UNESCO recognition, authorities have initiated a 10‑year conservation plan around Salher Fort, incorporating 25 km buffer zones including nearby forts like Mulher, Nhavi Gad, and Bhilaigad. The initiative includes infrastructure improvements, security plans, heritage interpretation centers and local guide training under UNESCO guidelines
Comparative Status: India’s UNESCO Progress
Prior to this, India had 43 World Heritage Sites as of mid‑2024—including Assam’s Moidams (43rd) and Karnataka’s Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (42nd) and Santiniketan (41st)With this recent addition, the total now stands at 44 sites.
Significance in One Glance
The inclusion of these forts underlines India’s rich military heritage, particularly the strategic brilliance and architectural innovation of the Maratha Empire, enhancing India’s recognition on the global cultural stage. The site’s serial nature magnifies how interconnected defense networks shaped regional governance and warfare
India now continues to solidify its position among the top nations in terms of UNESCO site count, only behind countries like Italy, China, Spain, Germany, and France .
B) Why This News Is Important 🎯
Enhancing Heritage Awareness for Competitive Exams
Understanding this news is vital for aspirants of UPSC, state PSC, banking, railways, defence, and teacher recruitment exams. Questions often focus on recent UNESCO additions, their locations, and cultural importance.
Significance in Indian History & Culture
The recognition of the Maratha Military Landscapes elevates awareness of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s strategic genius and the broader military-scape of the Maratha era, themes commonly tested in Indian history and polity sections.
Conservation & Tourism Dimensions
The post-inscription conservation plans, infrastructure development, and buffer-zone management reflect broader themes like heritage management, UNESCO guidelines, and heritage‑based tourism development—topics relevant to General Studies Paper II/III.
Global Recognition & India’s Cultural Diplomacy
The inscription during a global UNESCO session underscores India’s soft power and heritage diplomacy, showing how intangible and architectural heritage can influence global cultural discourse—a focus for current affairs and essay-writing modules.
C) Historical Context: Background on the Maratha Landscapes
Emergence of the Maratha Fort Network
The Maratha Empire (17th–19th centuries) built and consolidated a system of hill‑forts across western India. These forts—ranging from coastal bastions like Sindhudurg to hilltop strongholds like Shivneri—acted as administrative centres, military depots, and symbolic seats of power under leaders such as Shivaji Maharaj and his successors
Tentative Listing and Final Inscription
India placed these landscapes on its tentative UNESCO list in 2021, followed by a formal nomination in early 2024. The successful inscription in July 2025 marks the culmination of coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Culture, State Archaeology Departments, and state governments
India’s Heritage Growth Timeline
D) Key Takeaways from This News
Key Takeaways from India’s 44th UNESCO Addition
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | India’s 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, inscribed on July 12, 2025. |
| 2. | It comprises 12 forts—11 in Maharashtra (e.g., Raigad, Rajgad, Salher) and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. |
| 3. | These forts reflect military architecture, fortification planning, and Maratha strategic dominance between the 17th–19th centuries. |
| 4. | A 10‑year conservation and buffer‐zone plan has been initiated around Salher and nearby forts to enhance infrastructure and preservation. |
| 5. | India now ranks among the top countries globally in UNESCO World Heritage sites count, highlighting cultural diplomacy and global recognition. |
📌 FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India as of July 2025?
A: As of July 2025, India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Q2. Which is the latest UNESCO World Heritage Site added from India?
A: The Maratha Military Landscapes of India were added as the 44th site on July 12, 2025.
Q3. Which forts are included in the Maratha Military Landscapes UNESCO inscription?
A: Notable forts include Salher, Raigad, Rajgad, Shivneri, Pratapgad, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Lohagad, among others.
Q4. Which Indian states are home to the forts included in this UNESCO listing?
A: The forts are mainly in Maharashtra and one—Gingee Fort—is located in Tamil Nadu.
Q5. Why are the Maratha Military Landscapes historically significant?
A: These forts showcase the strategic military architecture of the Maratha Empire, particularly under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with innovations suited to rugged terrains.
Q6. What is the purpose of the buffer zone around Salher Fort?
A: It is part of a 10-year conservation initiative that aims to protect surrounding forts, improve tourist infrastructure, and ensure compliance with UNESCO heritage guidelines.
Q7. What are some other recent UNESCO inscriptions from India before this?
A: Santiniketan, Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, and Moidams of Assam were added as the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd sites, respectively.
Q8. Who manages the nomination process for UNESCO sites in India?
A: The Ministry of Culture, in coordination with ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and state departments.
Q9. When was the Maratha Military Landscapes proposed for UNESCO recognition?
A: These landscapes were placed on India’s tentative list in 2021 and nominated in early 2024.
Q10. Why is this topic relevant for competitive exams?
A: It is frequently covered under General Awareness, Indian History, Art and Culture, and Current Affairs sections in exams like UPSC, SSC, PSCs, Defence, Railways, and Teaching recruitment.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
