Maratha Military Landscapes

Why in News?

• Maratha Military Landscapes have been selected as India’s nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25.
• The landscapes were included in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2021.

About Maratha Military Landscapes

• Significance:
  • Represent exceptional fortification systems envisioned by the Maratha rulers.
  • Reflect the military ingenuity of the Marathas in integrating the natural landscape with military architecture.
• Cultural Criteria: Nominated under the Cultural Heritage category.
• Geographic Scope: Includes forts spread across:
  • Sahyadri mountain ranges.
  • Konkan Coast.
  • Deccan Plateau.
  • Eastern Ghats.
     

Historical Context

• Inception:
  • The military ideology originated during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century.
  • Continued under the Peshwa rule till 1818 CE.
• Key Contributions:
  • Emphasis on tactical positioning of forts for defense and administration.
  • Utilization of natural terrains for fort construction.

Key Features of Forts in Maratha Military Landscapes

Hill Forts

• Salher: Site of the 1672 battle between Marathas and Mughals.
• Shivneri: Birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Lohgad: Located near Bhaje Buddhist caves.
• Raigad: Permanent capital of Shivaji.
• Rajgad:
  • Formerly known as Murumdev.
  • Recognized as the first political base of Hindavi Swarajya.
  • One of 17 forts retained by Shivaji under the Treaty of Purandar (1665).
     

Island Forts

• Sindhudurg: Built on an islet in the Arabian Sea.
• Suvarnadurg: Presumed to be constructed by Bijapur rulers.
• Khanderi: Built by Shivaji in 1679 CE to monitor Siddis at Murud-Janjira.
   

Hill-Forest Forts

• Pratapgad: Scene of the famous battle with Afzal Khan.
   

Hill-Plateau Forts

• Panhala Fort: Capital of the Maratha state under Tarabai.
   

Coastal Forts

• Vijay Durg:
  • Captured by Shivaji from Adil Shah of Bijapur.
  • Known as the Eastern Gibraltar for its strategic position.
     

Maratha Empire at a Glance

• Foundation: Began with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1674.
• Dominance: Spanned large parts of India in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Capitals: Raigad, Gingee, Satara, Pune.
• Administrative System:
  • Ashtapradhan Council: A council of eight ministers, including Peshwa (Prime Minister), Amatya (Finance), and Senapati (Commander-in-Chief).
• Revenue Policies:
  • Sardeshmukhi: A 10% levy on revenue.
  • Chauth: 25% of total revenue from neighboring territories.
     

Other World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra

Cultural:

• Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
• Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai.
   

Natural:

• Western Ghats (spanning Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, and Gujarat).
   

About UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• Definition: Areas or objects with outstanding universal value inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention, 1972.
• Categories:
  • Cultural: Sites with historical, artistic, or scientific significance.
  • Natural: Sites with exceptional natural beauty or ecological importance.
  • Mixed: Combining both cultural and natural significance.
• India’s Contribution:
  • 42 World Heritage Sites:
  • 34 Cultural, 7 Natural, 1 Mixed.
     

Conclusion
The nomination of Maratha Military Landscapes for UNESCO World Heritage status underscores the historical, architectural, and cultural importance of Maratha forts. Inclusion in the list will aid in the preservation and promotion of these monumental sites, showcasing India's rich heritage on a global stage