“The Maratha Marvels: Shivaji’s Forts & Heritage Power”
Shivaji Maharaj Forts & World Heritage Site Status – UPSC Notes
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, built and controlled numerous forts across Western India. These forts symbolize Maratha military genius, naval innovation, and Hindavi Swarajya.
Shivaji’s Forts # WORLD HERITAGE SITE…
🔱 Famous Forts of Shivaji Maharaj:
| Fort Name | Location (State) | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Raigad Fort | Maharashtra | Capital of the Maratha Empire |
| Sinhagad Fort | Maharashtra | Site of Tanaji Malusare’s valor |
| Torna Fort | Maharashtra | First fort captured by Shivaji at age 16 |
| Rajgad Fort | Maharashtra | Capital before Raigad |
| Pratapgad Fort | Maharashtra | Site of battle with Afzal Khan |
| Sindhudurg Fort | Maharashtra | Naval fort on Arabian Sea |
| Vijaydurg Fort | Maharashtra | Strategic coastal defense |
| Purandar Fort | Maharashtra | Treaty of Purandar (1665) with Jai Singh |
🏆 World Heritage Site (WHS) Status:
❌ Currently, Shivaji Maharaj’s forts are not officially listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
✅ However, Maharashtra government has proposed a UNESCO WHS nomination for:
“The Forts of Shivaji” (Group nomination of 14 forts under Cultural Heritage)
⛰️ Proposed Forts in the WHS Nomination:
- Raigad
- Rajgad
- Torna
- Pratapgad
- Lohagad
- Sindhudurg
- Vijaydurg
- Salher
- Shivneri
- Khanderi
- Suvarnadurg
- Alibag Fort
- Padmadurg
- Sarasgad
🗓️ Nominated Year: Proposal included in India’s tentative list (2021–2022)
🔍 Importance for UPSC:
📘 GS-1: Indian Heritage & Culture
- Fort architecture (hill, sea, land)
- Indigenous military engineering
📘 GS-2/GS-3: Governance / Conservation
- WHS nomination process
- Role of ASI, UNESCO, and state bodies
📘 Essay / Ethics:
- Legacy of Shivaji Maharaj as a nation-builder
📝 UPSC PYQ Practice:
Q: Which of the following forts was the capital of the Maratha Empire under Shivaji?
A) Purandar
B) Rajgad
C) Raigad
D) Sinhagad
✅ Answer: C) Raigad
World Heritage Sites – Explained for UPSC
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by UNESCO. These sites are recognized for having cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance and are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
🏛️ Key Facts for UPSC:
✅ What is UNESCO?
- Full Form: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- Founded: 1945
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention: Adopted in 1972
🧭 Types of World Heritage Sites:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Cultural | Monuments, architectural works, inscriptions, and cultural landscapes |
| Natural | Natural features, geological formations, habitats of threatened species |
| Mixed | Sites that have both cultural and natural significance |
🇮🇳 World Heritage Sites in India (As of 2024):
- Total: 42 Sites
- Cultural: 34
- Natural: 7
- Mixed: 1 (Khangchendzonga National Park)
🔹 Some Important Indian World Heritage Sites:
| Site | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | Cultural |
| Ajanta and Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | Cultural |
| Qutub Minar | Delhi | Cultural |
| Sun Temple, Konark | Odisha | Cultural |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | Natural |
| Western Ghats | Multiple States | Natural |
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | Mixed |
📝 Criteria for Selection:
UNESCO uses 10 criteria for selection (at least one must be met).
- Criteria i–vi: Cultural
- Criteria vii–x: Natural
Example:
- Taj Mahal → Criterion (i): A masterpiece of human creative genius.
🔍 Current Affairs Angle (UPSC 2024–25):
- Always check new additions to the list.
- Focus on sites under threat or those nominated (e.g., Santiniketan, India got listed in 2023).
- Link with Indian culture, geography, biodiversity, and GS-1 and GS-3 syllabus.
📚 UPSC PYQ Example:
Q: Which one of the following is a mixed World Heritage Site in India?
A) Valley of Flowers
B) Sundarbans
C) Khangchendzonga National Park
D) Western Ghats
Answer: ✅ C) Khangchendzonga National Park
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