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Mumbai: Centuries-old Maratha military forts, which are the emblems of courage, strategic brilliance, and architectural ingenuity, have now earned global recognition. Out of hundreds of them, 12 of these iconic forts have been officially inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list, spotlighting the Maratha Empire's formidable defence infrastructure and cultural legacy. This international honour was not easily won. The nomination journey, as intricate as the forts themselves, was initiated by Maharashtra's department of archaeology and museums (DoAM). The department appointed the Gurgaon-based Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage (DRONAH) to conduct extensive research for the nomination dossier. Although the process began in the state's administrative headquarters and traversed through Gurgaon, it ultimately culminated in the dedicated efforts of a 24-year-old Pune-based conservation architect Tanay Lalwani. Insiders familiar with the project remarked that Lalwani was the ideal candidate to lead the research, having trekked and studied these forts from the age of five, he developed a lifelong passion that shaped his professional journey. Under the mentorship of DRONAH's founder-director Dr. Shikha Shah, Lalwani compiled one of the most complex and ambitious nomination dossiers ever submitted in UNESCO's cultural category. His work required a deep understanding of Maratha history, strategic military networks, and architectural evolution. Starting with a pool of over 390 forts dating from the 17th to the 19th century, Lalwani methodically narrowed the selection. The forts were first grouped into clusters, leading to a shortlist of 60 primary and secondary sites. That list was further refined to 29 forts, from which 12 were ultimately chosen as the best representations of the Maratha military landscape, a term that replaced the original 'Maratha military architecture' to reflect the interconnected system of forts that formed a unified strategic network. These 12 selected forts span across Maharashtra's varied geography with Raigad, Rajgad, Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Pratapgad, and Panhala in the Sahyadri ranges, Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg, Suvarnadurg, and Khanderi along the Konkan coast, and Gingee Fort in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Lalwani explained, "The term military landscape was chosen because the forts are not standalone structures but are interconnected nodes in a vast strategic defence system envisioned by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The nomination was based on two key UNESCO criteria including the unique architectural style, unlike any other in the world, and the intangible legacy of Shivaji Maharaj's concept of Swaraj." The detailed dossiers were submitted to DoAM in November 2023, then forwarded to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and finally presented to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre in Paris. After a rigorous 20-month evaluation, UNESCO's expert committee honoured the Maratha military landscape for its "outstanding universal value." While only 12 forts have received official UNESCO status, the recognition has also brought 54 additional forts, located within the buffer zones, into the spotlight for potential future conservation. Reflecting on his journey, Lalwani said, "Since childhood, I dreamt of the world recognising the extraordinary Maratha fort network. Their condition has improved remarkably over the years. Now that they are officially World Heritage Sites, they will be preserved with greater care and international oversight." He added that as part of the initiative, DRONAH also published a comprehensive conservation toolkit to guide the long-term preservation of these historic structures. With this milestone, the Maratha forts are no longer just regional heritage but they now stand as global monuments to military ingenuity, cultural resilience, and architectural excellence.
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 >
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 5 (ANI): Following Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addressing a joint rally at Worli Dome in Mumbai on Saturday, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that they were not coming together for language, but for their selfish motives and to recover their lost base. Chirag Paswan said, "They are not coming together for language, but for their selfish motives. They are coming together to recover their lost base. Both brothers saw that staying apart not only reduced their strength but also finished it...I'm not s ...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 >
Hyderabad: In a significant boost for 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbharta' in the aerospace and defence sector, and Hyderabad's growing stature as a global aerospace hub, the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter jet will now be made in India at Hyderabad. This move marks the first time that these Rafale components will be manufactured outside France for the Indian as well as global markets.French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has signed four production transfer agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for manufacturing key sections of the Rafale fighter jet, including the lateral ...Read More >
Amritsar: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey from Jharkhand has claimed that Britain assisted India in executing the 1984 Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stoking a new controversy.In a post on X on Monday, Dubey alleged that then PM Indira Gandhi "launched an attack on the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain", with British Army officers present in Amritsar.He uploaded a classified British document, "Sikh Community", claiming that on Feb 23, 1984, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned in a letter that the Indian govt had sought British advice over a plan to remove Si ...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 >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) The first 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour' has received overwhelming response as all the seats have been booked ahead of the scheduled departure on June 9, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited said on Friday. In a release, IRCTC, a 'Navratna' PSU under the railway ministry, said all 710 seats have been booked in 11 coaches. These comprise 480 in the Economy (Sleeper) category, 190 in Comfort (3AC) and 40 in Superior (2AC), indicating strong interest across travel classes, it added. IRCTC in collaboration with Maharashtra government ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
Pune, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the responsibility of creating the India of Shivaji Maharaj's dreams rested with 140 crore Indians, and sometimes, there is a need to fight to protect our 'Swaraj'. He cited Operation Sindoor as an example of this. "When there was a need to fight for Swaraj, we fought. If there is a need to fight to preserve Swaraj, we will fight. Operation Sindoor is an example of this. But alongside Swaraj, the idea of a great India also encompasses the concept of Shivaji Maharaj," he stated in his speech after unveiling the statue o ...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 13 (PTI) Amid rumours of NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil resigning as the Maharashtra unit chief, senior BJP politician and minister Girish Mahajan on Sunday claimed that Patil is apparently unhappy in the party and maintains regular contact with him. "Let's wait and watch what changes unfold," Mahajan said, stressing that he and Patil never discussed the latter's possible resignation from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). Mahajan said Patil had never spoken to him about quitting. "Jayant Patil is a senior leader. If he has anything to say, he would speak to Chi ...Read More >
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 rang ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 6 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Friday demanded an apology from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for wearing a 'jiretop', a traditional headgear worn by Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sapkal also accused Adityanath of spreading misinformation by claiming that Ramdas Swami was guru of the 17th-century king who founded the Maratha empire. "He must apologise for insulting the Maharaj by wearing a jiretop. Those insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are being rewarded and protected by the BJP-led government," he alleged whi ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 30 (PTI) Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi has moved the Bombay High Court seeking the quashing of two "politically motivated" FIRs registered against him over his remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. A bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Rajesh Patil issued a notice to the police on Monday and posted the matter for further hearing after four weeks. In an interview with the media in March, Azmi allegedly stated that Aurangzeb was a "good administrator" and during his reign, India's borders expanded up to Afghanistan and Burma. Azmi purportedly said if Aurangzeb had razed temples, ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah, praised the PM Modi-led BJP government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting India's achievements in manufacturing vaccines and protecting its citizens. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of Poona Lifespace International in Pune, Shah said, 'When we faced the biggest pandemic of the century, India was one of the first countries to manufacture a vaccine. PM Modi-led BJP government provided vaccine to 130 crore Indians and protected them.' Shah emphasised the importance of societal participation in addres ...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 >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday stated that the best place to establish a memorial for Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao was the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasia. Speaking at the unveiling of the warrior's statue in Pune, Shah stated that Bajira had the traits of a good soldier. "He has done incredible work for the country and for our independence... The best example of an individual who had the qualities of a good soldier was Peshwa Bajirao... In 21 years, he fought 41 wars, and no one can break that record..." Shah said while addressing ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 5 (ANI): Following Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray addressing a joint rally at Worli Dome in Mumbai on Saturday, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that they were not coming together for language, but for their selfish motives and to recover their lost base. Chirag Paswan said, 'They are not coming together for language, but for their selfish motives. They are coming together to recover their lost base. Both brothers saw that staying apart not only reduced their strength but also finished it...I'm not s ...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 >
Nashik (Maharashtra) [India], June 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg will play an essential role in the development of the state. This highway will be a corridor of prosperity for the state. This highway will be connected to Vadhan Port shortly, and CM Fadnavis added it. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that land has been acquired for the Samruddhi Highway in record time. Due to this route, 24 districts of the state, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra, have been ...Read More >
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across several Indian states this week, with Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala among the worst affected. Multiple weather alerts have been issued, including orange and yellow warnings, as the monsoon strengthens across the country. "A cyclonic circulation is active over southwest Rajasthan, with a low-pressure trough stretching from there to Bangladesh through several northern and eastern states. An earlier low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has weakened and merged with this trough. Another cyclonic syst ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday announced the provisional attachment of assets worth approximately ₹131.45 crore in Spain, including a luxury yacht and immovable properties, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These assets belong to Pavel Prozorov, a Spanish national and the alleged mastermind behind the unauthorised forex trading platform OctaFX. The attached assets comprise a commercial Italian-model luxury yacht cruising in the Western Mediterranean, a minijet boat, a luxury car, and two residential properties in Spain. The ED's probe was launched ...Read More >
Puri, Jul 7 (PTI) Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri on Monday announced that the ASI has completed repair of the 12th century shrine's 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) and inventory-related work will begin after approval of the state government. This was announced in a joint press briefing by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee and Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) Superintending Archaeologist, D B Garnayak here. ASI is the custodian of the 65-metre-tall imposing temple in the seaside town. "By the infinite grace of the Lord, the conservation and renovation work of th ...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 >