UNESCO honour for Shivaji's forts: People must preserve legacy of valour and culture, says Fadnavis

Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) The inclusion of 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites was a historic moment and citizens must preserve and promote this legacy of valour and culture, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.

The UNESCO on Friday inscribed 'Maratha Military Landscapes', comprising Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu, in the World Heritage List.

In a statement in the assembly, Fadnavis described the development as a "moment of great pride for the state and the country".

"Citizens must preserve the legacy of valour and culture," the CM said.

These forts symbolise the valour, strategic military ingenuity, and cultural legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, he said.

"Shivaji Maharaj revolutionised the traditional use of forts from revenue collection and territorial control to the creation of a people-centric swarajya (self-rule). The UNESCO committee recognised this as a unique contribution of 'Outstanding Universal Value'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally chose this nomination from among seven proposals submitted by India for UNESCO recognition," Fadnavis said.

'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' was technically evaluated by an expert from South Korea, who visited the nominated sites in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, he said.

The proposal was presented at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi in July 2024, with experts from Maharashtra taking part in the deliberations. The final decision came on July 11 this year during an international meeting of UNESCO's cultural committee, where all 20 voting countries unanimously approved the nomination.

Fadnavis thanked the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from other countries for their support, as well as Directorate of Archaeology and Museums under the state's cultural affairs department, which prepared the proposal. PTI MR BNM