UNESCO Heritage Status for 12 Forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A Moment of Pride for India and Marathi People – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Ceremony Celebrates Historic Recognition of Maratha Forts

Mumbai : The legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has always transcended boundaries. With 12 forts associated with Shivaji Maharaj now accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO, this global recognition formalizes the universal significance of his legacy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed this as an honour for the entire country and a matter of great pride for the Marathi community.

To commemorate this achievement, a ‘Kartavyapoorna Sohala’ (Duty Fulfilment Ceremony) was organised at the P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi. The event was initiated by Minister for Cultural Affairs Adv. Ashish Shelar. Notable attendees included Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Smt. Usha Mangeshkar, Minister for Skill Development and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha, several MLAs including Pravin Darekar, Kalidas Kolambkar, Captain Ravi Selvan, Prasad Lad, Amit Satam, Sanjay Upadhyay, Sunil Rane, and others.

CM Fadnavis shared that the nomination for these 12 forts was prioritized by the Centre and formally recommended to UNESCO. Although several states proposed heritage sites, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally advocated for forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to represent India. CM Fadnavis expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for this special consideration.

He also praised former Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and current Minister Ashish Shelar for their pivotal roles. “Ashishji went to Paris to present the technical case before UNESCO officials, effectively showcasing the importance of the forts. This global honour is the result of the team’s tireless efforts,” Fadnavis stated.

Highlighting the architectural and strategic significance of the forts, CM Fadnavis said, “Forts like Rajgad, Raigad, Pratapgad, Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg, Suvarnadurg, and Khanderi are not just historical monuments but foundational pillars of Swarajya (self-rule).”

He recalled the immense logistical challenge of constructing these sea forts, such as the use of 3.2 million kg of lime and 1 million kg of iron in Sindhudurg Fort, a testament to Shivaji’s vision and administrative genius.

The Chief Minister emphasized the central role of forts in governance, echoing Shivaji Maharaj’s belief that protecting 363 forts would prevent any empire from conquering Swarajya.

On this historic occasion, Fadnavis remarked, “I accept this honour on behalf of everyone who contributed to this achievement.”

While receiving the honour from legendary composer Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, CM Fadnavis reflected, “His music and lyrics have ignited patriotism and pride in the hearts of Marathi people. Songs from Shivkalyan Raja continue to inspire.”

Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar added that Shivaji Maharaj’s bravery, strategic genius, and good governance remain unparalleled in Indian history. His legacy is awe-inspiring and timeless.

Of the 12 forts included in the ‘Maratha Military Landscape’ proposal, 11 are in Maharashtra, and one—Gingee Fort—is located in Tamil Nadu. Minister Shelar noted that the groundwork for this UNESCO nomination was laid during CM Fadnavis’s earlier tenure.

The event also featured Marathi patriotic songs, powadas (ballads), tribute songs, and a re-enactment of Shivaji’s coronation ceremony from the epic play Janata Raja. The cultural performances received an enthusiastic response from the audience.