World Heritage Sites in India

World Heritage Sites in India

Why are they in the news?

Recently, India’s ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’ has been recognized as the 44th UNESCO World Heritage Site of India during the 47th Session of World Heritage Committee, 2025.

 

Maratha Military Landscapes

  • It is a strategic network of fortifications and military system developed by the then Maratha rulers during the 17th-19th centuries.
  • This network includes 12 forts, out of which 11 are located in the state of Maharashtra and 1 fort in the state of Tamil Nadu.
  • Maharashtra – Salher, Shivneri, Khanderi, Panhala, Lohagad, Raigad; Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg

Tamil Nadu – Gingee Fort

  • This landscape began in 1670 AD during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and continued till the Peshwa rule which lasted till 1818 AD.

 

World Heritage Sites

  • Sites that have been recognized by the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Conservation Convention organized under the aegis of UNESCO in the year 1972.
  • These are divided into three categories – cultural, natural and mixed heritage sites
  • Till now a total of 1248 sites have been recognized as World Heritage Sites. In which Italy, China, Germany, France, Spain and India have their global position in descending order.
  • The World Heritage Committee is the highest body in terms of granting recognition of World Heritage Sites.

 

World Heritage Sites: Indian Context

  • India ranks sixth in the world with 44 World Heritage Sites. India has 36 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed World Heritage Sites.
  • For the first time in the year 1983, 4 sites of India – Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort and Taj Mahal were declared World Heritage Sites.
  • In July 2025, ‘Maratha Military Landscape’ was declared as a World Heritage Site.

 

World Heritage Site: Rajasthan Context

  • At present, a total of 9 site of Rajasthan are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Which includes 8 cultural and 1 natural heritage sites.
  • Keoladeo National Park (1985), Jantar-Mantar (2010), 6 Hill Forts (2013)- Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Gagron, Amer, and Jaisalmer
  • The Wall City of Jaipur (2019)

 

 

 

Practice Questions

  1. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

(a)   Maratha military landscape is spread across the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

(b)   There are a total of 44 UNESCO heritage sites in India.

(c)     There are a total of 9 UNESCO heritage sites in Rajasthan.

(d)    The 47th World Heritage Committee session was organised in Paris.

Ans (a) : Maratha military landscape is spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Note:

  • This material is useful for UPSC Paper-1 and RAS Mains Paper-1.

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