Maratha Military Landscapes: A New UNESCO World Heritage Entry

Why in the News?

1. In July 2025, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session held in Paris.
2. This tag recognises the military forts built by the Maratha Empire for their historical and architectural value.

Key Highlights

1. UNESCO Tag Includes 12 Forts:
   1. Maharashtra: Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg.
   2. Tamil Nadu: Gingee Fort
   3. These forts showcase a wide geographical and ecological diversity (hill forts, island forts, coastal forts).
2. Built for Defence and Strategy:
   1. Forts were designed using natural landscapes like hills and cliffs.
   2. They were part of the guerrilla warfare tactics led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
3. More Than Just Military Bases:
   1. Many forts had temples, water tanks, storage areas, and spaces for local governance.
   2. They show how forts were used for both defence and daily life.
4. Unique to Maratha Style:
   1. Unlike Mughal or European-style forts, Maratha forts focused on speed, secrecy, and smart planning using local materials.
5. Boost for Indian Heritage:
   1. With this, India now has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
   2. It helps promote tourism, heritage protection, and pride in Maratha history.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

1. About UNESCO World Heritage Sites
   1. Definition: Places recognised by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, or natural significance.
   2. Purpose: To preserve these sites for future generations due to their outstanding universal value (OUV).
   3. Examples: Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves (India); Great Barrier Reef (Australia); Pyramids (Egypt).
2. Background and Origin
   1. Post-WWII Effort: Concept arose after the destruction of cultural sites during World War II.
   2. 1972 Convention: “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” adopted.
   3. India’s Role: Signed the Convention on November 14, 1977, joining global efforts in preservation.
   4. Framework: Created a World Heritage Committee and established rules for protection and selection.
3. Selection Criteria:
   1. UNESCO uses 10 standards to decide if a place is special enough to become a World Heritage Site.
   2. These criteria can be divided into cultural (6) and natural (4) criterias.
   3. Who checks these?
      1. ICOMOS: Checks cultural sites (like monuments and buildings).
      2. IUCN: Checks natural sites (like forests, national parks).
   4. All sites must show Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) — meaning they are so important that all of humanity should help protect them.

4. World Heritage Sites in India (As of July 2025)
   1. Total Sites: 44 (36 Cultural, 7 Natural, 1 Mixed).
   2. Examples:
      1. Cultural: Taj Mahal, Sun Temple (Konark), Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
      2. Natural: Kaziranga National Park, Sundarbans, Western Ghats.
      3. Mixed: Khangchendzonga National Park.
5. Legal Status and Obligations
   1. Sovereignty Maintained: Sites remain under national control, but have global protection status.
   2. State Duties:
      1. Protect and conserve the sites.
      2. Report conditions regularly.
      3. Educate the public on their value.
   3. International Aid:
      1. UNESCO can provide technical and financial support.
      2. Sites can be delisted or marked ‘in danger’ if not protected properly.

About Marathas

1. Rise of the Maratha Empire
   1. The Maratha Empire emerged in the late 17th century under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji, in response to political instability and oppression in the Deccan region.
   2. Shivaji established an independent kingdom with Raigad as its capital, challenging the Adil Shahi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.
   3. The Marathas gained strength due to:
      1. Geographical advantage: The region’s mountains and forests supported guerrilla warfare and the construction of hill forts.
      2. Religious and cultural unity: Saints like Tukaram, Ramdas, and Eknath inspired unity through the Bhakti movement.
      3. Administrative experience: Many Marathas held key posts in the Deccan Sultanates of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar.
   4. The Mughals under Aurangzeb suffered losses during their campaign against the Marathas due to harsh policies and prolonged warfare.
2. Shivaji Maharaj’s Rule (1630–1680)
   1. Shivaji captured forts like Torna and laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya (self-rule of the Hindus).
   2. He was formally crowned Chhatrapati in 1674.
   3. Key Achievements:
      1. Built a strong fort network and navy to secure coastal regions.
      2. Set up a centralised administration with the Ashtapradhan Mandal (Council of Eight Ministers).
      3. Promoted Marathi and Sanskrit over Persian in official use.
      4. Practised religious tolerance and appointed people from all communities and castes, including Europeans.
3. Successors of Shivaji
   1. After Shivaji’s death in 1680:
      1. Sambhaji (his elder son) succeeded him but was captured and executed by the Mughals.
      2. Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger son, fled to Gingee Fort and later died in Satara.
      3. His widow Tarabai ruled as regent for their son Shivaji II.
      4. Eventually, Shahu, son of Sambhaji, emerged as ruler and appointed Balaji Vishwanath as Peshwa in 1713, beginning the Peshwa era.

Maratha Administration

1. Central Administration (Ashtapradhan Mandal):
   1. A group of eight ministers managing different aspects of governance:
      1. Peshwa – Prime Minister
      2. Amatya – Finance
      3. Sacheev – Royal Secretariat
      4. Mantri – Intelligence/Internal Affairs
      5. Senapati – Army Chief
      6. Sumant – Foreign Affairs
      7. Nyayadhish – Justice
      8. Panditrao – Religious Matters
   2. Other officials: Chitnis (personal secretary), often acted as second-in-command.
2. Provincial Administration
   1. The kingdom was divided into Provinces (Prants) → Tarafs (districts) → Parganas (sub-districts) → Villages.
   2. Officials included:
      1. Deshmukh and Deshpande – Local revenue and law.
      2. Havaldars – District officers.
      3. Kulkarni and Patil – Village-level officials.
   3. Tax collection was centralised and done directly by state officers to prevent corruption.
3. Revenue Administration
   1. Based on Malik Ambar’s Kathi system (land measurement).
   2. Farmers (ryots) paid 40% of their produce as tax.
   3. Chauth: 25% tax on territories outside Maratha rule for protection.
   4. Sardeshmukhi: Additional 10% tax for hereditary rights.
   5. Ryotwari system: Direct contact with farmers, reducing middlemen’s role.
   6. Mirasdars (landowners) were brought under stricter control to prevent tax evasion.
4. Military Administration
   1. Shivaji built a disciplined and loyal army:
      1. Soldiers were paid in cash, not land.
      2. Saranjam system: Revenue grants to military officers.
      3. Paga cavalry: 30,000–40,000 troops under Havaldars.
   2. First Indian ruler to establish a naval force, building dockyards and warships.
   3. Excelled in guerrilla warfare and used mountain terrain effectively.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

The inclusion of the Maratha Military Landscapes in the UNESCO World Heritage List marks a proud moment for India, highlighting the rich legacy of indigenous military architecture and regional pride. These forts are not just symbols of resistance and resilience but also of strategic planning and cultural unity. Protecting them is essential not only for historical reasons but also for inspiring future generations to value and preserve India’s plural heritage.