Maratha Military Landscapes of India

World Heritage Site in India

• At present in India there are 44 World Heritage sites, out of which 36 are cultural sites, 7 are natural sites whereas 1 is mixed site.
  • Last year, the Moidams of Charaideo, Assam, were inscribed in the World Heritage List at the 46^th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi.
• India ranks 6^th globally & 2^nd in Asia Pacific Region for the most number of World Heritage Sites.

• Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg and Gingee fort are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Forts

Key Features

1. Raigad Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• In 1674 CE, the Rajyabhishek or coronation of Shivaji took place at this fort, and it was here that he adopted the title of ‘Chhatrapati.’
• In 1662, it was selected by Chhatrapati Shivaji as his permanent capital.
• It was also the centre of administration and justice.

1. Rajgad Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• It was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji for almost 26 years before the capital was moved to Raigad Fort.
• It was one of the 17 forts that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj kept when he signed the Treaty of Purandar (1665), with the Mughal General Jai Singh I.

1. Shivneri Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha Empire.
• It was originally used to guard ancient trade routes and was later developed by the Bahmani and Ahmednagar Sultanates before coming under the control of the Marathas.

1. Pratapgad Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• It was built in 1656 by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj under the supervision of his prime minister Moropant Trimbak Pingle.
• The fort’s historical significance is due to the Battle of Pratapgad, which took place in 1659, between Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan.

1. Salher Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• It is the site of the highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains and the second highest peak at 1,567 metres after Kalsubai in Maharashtra.
• The Battle of Salher was fought between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire in 1672 CE. near the fort of Salher.

1. Lohgad Fort

Credit: PIB

• Lohagarh Fort, known for its strong defenses, withstood all 13 attempts made by the British army to conquer it.
• During the Siege of Bharatpur in January and February 1805, British forces led by Lord Lake launched four major assaults on the fort, but none succeeded in breaking through its defenses.

1. Suvarnadurg Fort

Credit: PIB

• Suvarnadurg Fort is a historic sea fort located on a small island in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Harnai, in Ratnagiri district.
• The fort served as a key naval base during the reign of the Maratha Empire, especially under Kanhoji Angre, the famous Maratha naval commander.

1. Panhala Fort

Credit: PIB

• Originally built in the 12^th century by the Shilahara dynasty, Panhala was later fortified by the Bahmani and Adil Shahi rulers.
• It gained major prominence when Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1659.
• Panhala is especially famous for the Battle of Pavan Khind (1660), where Shivaji Maharaj and his troops escaped a siege by the forces of Siddi Johar.

1. Vijaydurg Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• Originally constructed in the 13^th century by Raja Bhoj of the Shilahara dynasty, the fort was later expanded and strengthened by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17^th century.
• Shivaji Maharaj developed it into a major naval base to defend the western coastline and counter foreign naval powers, especially the British and the Portuguese.

1. Sindhudurg Fort

Credit: PIB

• Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1668, the fort was designed to strengthen Maratha naval power and protect the Konkan coastline from foreign invasions, especially by the Portuguese, Siddis, and British.
• It was constructed on a rocky island known as Kurte Island.
• Unlike many forts, Sindhudurg was built with hidden entrances and clever architectural elements to confuse invaders.

1. Khanderi Fort

Credit: Trodly.com

• Khanderi Fort, also known as Kanhoji Angre Island, is a sea fort in the Konkan Coast.
• Built on a small island in the Arabian Sea, it was part of the Maratha naval defense system.

1. Gingee Fort

Credit: Wikipedia

• Also known as Senji Fort, it is located atop three hillocks – Rajagiri, Krishnagiri, and Chandragiri near Villupuram in Tamil Nadu.
• Built by Ananta Kon of the Konar Dynasty in 1,200 CE, the ownership of the fort changed hands several times.
• The fort was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1677 and it remained under Maratha rule till it came under the control of the Mughals in 1698.
• It is often called as the “Troy of the East” by British colonists due to its impressive defences.