Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti legislators erupted in celebration on Monday at the steps of Vidhan Bhavan after UNESCO officially recognised 12 historic forts, including several associated with Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as World Heritage Sites.
Calling it a proud moment for Maharashtra and a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, legislators from the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP gathered with banners and slogans to mark the occasion ahead of the monsoon session of the state legislature.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) added the “Maratha Military Landscapes” to its World Heritage List during the 47th session of its World Heritage Committee in Paris last week.
The recognised sites include 11 forts in Maharashtra—Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijay Durg, and Sindhudurg—and the Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Legislators expressed hope that this global recognition will not only ensure better preservation of the sites but also raise awareness about the military genius and cultural legacy of the Maratha empire.
