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India now has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These were the first The World Heritage Committee met for the first time in 1978, marking the beginning of identifying global sites of "outstanding universal value". The inaugural session marked the beginning of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, an initial list of 12 sites across seven countries, including the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the historic centre of Quito, Ethiopia's Simien National Park, and Senegal's Island of Gorée. To make it to the list, a site must meet at least one of ten detailed selection criteria. These criteria range from being an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation, to containing superlative natural phenomena, or illustrating significant ecological and biological processes that continue to shape our ecology. India officially entered this list in 1983, during the 7th session of the World Heritage Committee, with not one, but four cultural sites that marked the country's debut on the world heritage map. UNESCO recognises three categories of World Heritage properties: Cultural, Natural, and Mixed. India's first entries in 1983 were all cultural sites. Since then, the list has steadily grown, reaching 43 sites before the 2025 session which began on 6 July. With the latest addition of The Maratha Military Landscapes of India, a cultural site, India now has a total of 44 World Heritage Sites: 36 cultural, 7 natural, and 1 mixed. India's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site includes twelve fortifications spread across rugged hills, coastal cliffs, and forested ridges, most of them in Maharashtra, with one in Tamil Nadu. From the island forts of Sindhudurg and Suvarnadurg, surrounded by the Arabian Sea, to the hilltop bastions of Raigad and Pratapgad, these forts are records of strategy, terrain, and resistance, and they mark yet another milestone in India's ongoing journey of preserving its layered history.
New Delhi: The first warship in the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft series, equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy on June 18, officials said on Friday. The commissioning ceremony of 'Arnala' at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. "The warship incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L& ...Read More >
GURGAON: The investigation into the murder of a 25-year-old former international tennis player, allegedly by her father, has revealed a sudden deterioration in their relationship. The apparent reason was a disagreement over the academy she ran near their house, but the roots clearly run deeper. The father, who claims to have spent Rs 2 crore on his daughter's tennis career, told interrogators he was troubled by questions about her "character" that some of his associates had raised.Deepak Yadav, who shot Radhika at their house Thursday morning, had allegedly been insisting for two weeks on her ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed delight over the inclusion of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes' in the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the country's 44th property to receive this prestigious recognition. India is currently a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the term 2021-25. Taking to X, PM Modi said, "Every Indian is elated with this recognition. These 'Maratha Military Landscapes' include 12 majestic forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra and 1 is in Tamil Nadu." Highlighting the significance of the Maratha Empire, ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday extended his congratulations to the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj following the recognition of 12 forts associated with the Maratha king as UNESCO World Heritage sites. 'I congratulate the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on this historic achievement. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating these forts for UNESCO recognition. I am confident that these forts will now attract more tourists, and our glorious history will be known across the globe, ...Read More >
Mumbai: The whole of Maharashtra and India rejoiced on Friday as 12 majestic forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu) were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While PM Modi and other senior leaders welcomed the announcement, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday urged the government to act responsibly and ensure strict conservation measures. Last evening, UNESCO announced that it has accorded the status of World Heritage Sites to 12 forts built by Maharashtra's beloved and greatest King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, naming it 'Maratha Mili ...Read More >
Gingee Fort is fortified with high walls, deep moats, and hidden passageways ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed The fort is located in Viluppuram district and spans three rocky hills with strong fortificationsIts origins date to the 9th century with additions by Cholas, Vijayanagara, Marathas, Mughals, French, BritishRajaram Chhatrapati used Gingee Fort as a key Maratha resistance outpost during the 17th-century siege Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Chennai: Ta ...Read More >
Bangalore - The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially reopened Al Ain Museum to the public following an extensive redevelopment designed by Dabbagh Architects. The museum now spans more than 8,000 square metres and retains the original museum structure as a key part of its architectural narrative. The UAE's first museum, originally founded in 1969 by the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Al Ain Museum remains the centre of knowledge on the history and heritage of the Al Ain Region. H.E. Mohamed Khal ...Read More >
India added another feather to its cultural cap as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India have been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The announcement was made on July 12 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, marking a major milestone in recognising the Maratha Empire's military ingenuity and fortification architecture.This inclusion brings India's tally of UNESCO-recognised heritage sites to 44, spanning cultural, historical, and natural import ...Read More >
Ahmedabad: Eight years after earning the Unesco tag as India's first World Heritage City, Ahmedabad is chasing another global title -- host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG). On Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), at its Special General Meeting, placed the city among the top contenders -- a move widely seen as a dress rehearsal for the bigger prize: the 2036 Olympics.Ahmedabad's bid is anchored by the Rs 6,000-crore Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave -- a 236-acre, Olympic-grade complex being developed through a state-AUDA public-private partnership. Scheduled for completi ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 14 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "politicising" the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's 12 forts in UNESCO's World Heritage List. UBT's Rajya Sabha MP said that while inclusion of the forts is a cause for the celebration for the whole of Maharashtra, the BJP should have also released a joint statement along with the other political parties to celebrate Maratha history. Also Read | Double Murder Shocks Delhi: 2 Best Friends Die After Stabbing Each Other in Khyala, Police Pro ...Read More >
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar emphasized that an Atmanirbharta mindset is crucial for navigating global instability and building a developed India (Viksit Bharat). He highlighted India's rich cultural heritage and the resilience of its people as key strengths. Dr. Jaishankar asserted that self-reliance is essential for boosting self-confidence and resilience in an unpredictable world. Dr S Jaishankar, Union Minister of External Affairs, on Wednesday said that Atmanirbharta mindset i ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Since 2018, 15 sites across eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa have earned a UNESCO tag, and four new nominations from African countries will be examined at the ongoing session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris, Director General of the UN organisation, Audrey Azoulay, said. The spirit of the World Heritage Convention is also to reflect the "diversity and equal dignity of cultures" throughout the world. Yet, 27 States Parties still have no sites inscribed, she said in her address at the opening ceremony of the 47th session of the WHC on Monday. "As you k ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) 'Maratha Military Landscapes', representing extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers, was on Friday inscribed on the coveted UNESCO World Heritage List, the UN body announced in a post on X. The decision was taken during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in Paris. "New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Maratha Military Landscapes of India, #India," UENSCO said. The nomination for UNESCO tag was for the 2024-25 cycle. Its 12 components are - Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohga ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the UNESCO's move to grant World Heritage Site status to 12 forts, including 11 from Maharashtra and one from Tamil Nadu is a matter of great pride for the entire Maharashtra and the country. In a statement, CM Fadnavis said: "Eleven forts in Maharashtra including Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad , Salher, Sindhudurg, Swarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi and Gingee fort in Tamil Nadu have been declared as World Heritage Sites. These forts built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a ...Read More >
The move comes nearly three years after the then government headed by Eknath Shinde formally rechristened Aurangabad city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The city, previously named after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, received this name as a tribute to Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's son. The original name change was initiated by the erstwhile Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. The BJP-led Mahayuti government on October 15 issued a gazette notification to change the name of Aurangabad ra ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 14 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, with other leaders of the Mahayuti alliance celebrated the inclusion of 12 forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, Maratha Military Landscapes of India got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India 44th property to receive this recognition. Speaking about the inclusion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj forts ...Read More >
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) Senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir government reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the 13-day-long Budha Amarnath pilgrimage in Poonch district that will begin on July 28. Deputy Inspector General of Police Tejinder Singh reviewed security in Poonch and stressed ensuring the safety of the devotees. "The first batch will depart from the Bhagwati Nagar basecamp in Jammu on July 28, moving towards the Mandi tehsil in Poonch in a regulated convoy amid full security arrangements," a spokesperson said. Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspec ...Read More >
Chennai, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed joy over the inclusion of Gingee Fort in the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Taking to social media, CM Stalin wrote: "Delighted that #GingeeFort, famously known as the 'Troy of the East', has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. This majestic hill fortress now joins Tamil Nadu's proud list of #UNESCO sites including the Great Living Chola Temples, the monuments at Māmallapuram, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Western Ghats. A p ...Read More >
Jaipur, Jul 19 (PTI) A gang, allegedly involved in the adulteration of coal imported from the US, was busted by the Rajasthan Police, leading to the arrest of an individual, a senior official said on Saturday. The gang was adulterating high-quality coal (petcoke) imported from the US, cheating cement and steel factories out of crores of rupees through this illegal operation, Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dinesh MN said. A team from the Crime Investigation Branch had been gathering intelligence about the theft of petcoke for some time. They were told by informants about several ...Read More >
Madhya Pradesh has received the "Best Tourism State of the Year" award at the Travel and Tourism Conclave in New Delhi. The state's tourism department has been recognized for its efforts in improving infrastructure, enhancing accessibility, and promoting its cultural and natural attractions, aiming to establish it as a leading global tourist destination. Read less Great news for Madhya Pradesh! The beautiful destination has been honored with the prestigious "Best Tourism State of the Year" award at the Travel and Tourism Conclave and Awards in New Delhi. This is an impressive award in the tou ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed happiness after the Maratha Military Landscapes of India were officially inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. These military landscapes, developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, feature extraordinary fortification systems that showcase the complexity and strategic prowess of Maratha defence systems. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1943729944716034532 In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, Delighted that Maratha Military Landscapes of India has been inscribed in @UNESCO #WorldHeritage list. Develop ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official nomination for 2024-25 cycle, 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' got inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India's 44th property to receive this recognition. This global accolade celebrates India's enduring cultural legacy, showcasing its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Chief Minister of Mahar ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday extended his congratulations to the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj following the recognition of 12 forts associated with the Maratha king as UNESCO World Heritage sites. 'I congratulate the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on this historic achievement. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating these forts for UNESCO recognition. I am confident that these forts will now attract more tourists, and our glorious history will be known across the globe, ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) Legislators of the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra on Monday gathered at the Vidhan Bhavan steps here to celebrate the inclusion of 12 forts, including those linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the UNESCO World Heritage list. They hailed the inclusion of the forts as a tribute to the legacy of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Also Read | Archita Phukan Targeted With AI-Generated Deepfake: Dibrugarh Police Unearth Revenge Porn Angle, Arrest Ex-Boyfriend Pratim Bora for Circulating Morphed Images of Amira Ishtara Aka Babydoll Archi. The global acknow ...Read More >
UNESCO has inscribed 'Maratha Military Landscapes,' comprising Pratapgad Fort and many more. ShowQuick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed * Conservation of 12 Shivaji Maharaj forts will follow a 10-year comprehensive plan * UNESCO listed 12 forts, including Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee, as Maratha Military Landscapes * The plan prioritizes high-footfall areas and includes heritage-friendly community integration Did our AI summary help? Let us know. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: C ...Read More >
In 2025, Ecuador is set to unveil a host of groundbreaking tourism initiatives. This follows a consistent uptick in tourism revenues, attracting both local and global hospitality enterprises to invest in the nation's tourism infrastructure. These developments include the introduction of new hotels and cruises, supplementing an existing array of 4,957 hotels and 15 cruise operations. The Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador reports a visitor count exceeding 589,000 in just the first half of the year, with projections from Statista estimating a steady growth rate of 2.88% annually through 2029. This ...Read More >
Jaipur, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) With its sweeping landscapes, sacred rivers, vibrant culture and world-class heritage, Madhya Pradesh is no longer just the 'Heart of India' -- it's becoming the heartbeat of global tourism. This message rang loud and clear during the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board's roadshow held at Jaipur's Jai Mahal Hotel on Friday. Speaking to a packed event of tourism stakeholders, filmmakers, and hospitality professionals from both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Additional Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Bidisha Mukherjee, highlighted the state's soaring ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) The World Heritage Committee has removed three African heritage sites -- in Madagascar, Egypt and Libya -- from UNESCO's list of endangered sites, acknowledging successful efforts to mitigate threats and restore their cultural and ecological integrity. The decision was taken on July 9 during the ongoing 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Paris, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said in a statement on Wednesday. It said these removals are the result of extensive efforts by states parties, with UNESCO's support, ...Read More >
India celebrates a new UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' joins the prestigious list. This includes 12 forts, mainly in Maharashtra, with one in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his joy. He highlighted the Maratha Empire's good governance and social welfare focus. The inscription occurred at the 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stated that every India is elated with this recognition and ...Read More >
The station falls under the Nanded Division of South Central Railway. Mumbai: Three years after the renaming of the Aurangabad city in Maharashtra, the Central Railway on Saturday said the Aurangabad railway station has been officially renamed as "Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station." Its new station code will be 'CPSN', the Central Railway said in a release. The station falls under the Nanded Division of South Central Railway. The BJP-led Mahayuti government on October 15 had issued a ...Read More >