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Picture Courtesy: https://www.citybit.in/maharashtra/raigad-fort/

Context:

Raigad Fort is part of the 12 forts under the title “Maratha Military Landscapes in India” that has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Details

India has officially nominated the Maratha military landscape for the inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List for the year 2024-25.

These forts were developed between the 17th and 19th century.

These forts were strategically built in diverse geographical regions including Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats.

List of Nominated Forts

Salher
Shivneri
Lohagad
Khanderi
Raigad
Rajgad
Pratapgad
Suvarnadurg
Panhala
Vijaydurg
Sindhudurg
Gingee (in Tamil Nadu)

About Raigad Fort

Rigard Fort is located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is a hill Fort situated in the city of Mahad.

The Fort is located at an elevation of 820 meters above its base and 1,356 meters above the sea level within the Sahyadri mountain range.

It was originally called ‘Rairi’, It is one of the strongest fortresses on the Deccan Plateau.

In 1656, Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort from the Mores dynasty, due to its strategic location and defensive potential. He Initiated the construction work and developed various buildings and structures of the fort.

In 1674, Shivaji Maharaj after being crowned as the King of Maratha Kingdom established the capital in Raigad.

Shivaji was crowned as Chhatrapati in this Fort. This fort also played an important role in the administration and expansion of Maratha Kingdom.

Raigad Fort is referred to as the “Gibraltar of the East”, due to its strategic location.

Architectural Highlights

The main pathway to the Fort passes through the Maha Darwaja, which has 2 huge bastions on both sides, approximately 20 meters in height.

Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai is the resting place of Shivaji Maharaja's mother.

The Royal Complex includes the Rajsadar (Hall of Public Audience), Ranivasa (Queens’ Palace), and the Naqqar Khana (Drum House). The complex is fortified and accessible only through three main entrances.

Jagadishwar Temple inside the complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is still worshiped.

Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, located near the Jagadishwar Temple.

An execution point known as ‘Takmak Tok’ is a cliff from where prisoners were thrown to their death.

About UNESCO World Heritage Sites

World Heritage sites are the areas with legal protection by an International Convention administered under UNESCO for their cultural, historical, or scientific significance.

As per the ‘Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ of 1972, UNESCO aims to encourage the identification, protection and prevention of cultural and natural sites around the world. India ratified the Convention in 1977.

A World Heritage Site can be either cultural or natural areas/objects included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List for having “outstanding universal value.”

How sites are included in the list?

Step 1: A country needs to list its significant cultural and natural sites into a document known as a tentative list.

Step 2: The sites selected from the tentative list move into the nomination file, which is then evaluated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union. A site that was not first included in the tentative list cannot be nominated.

Step 3: The two bodies then make their recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which consists of diplomatic representatives from 21 countries. The committee meets each year to decide whether a nominated site can be included in the World Heritage Site list, the committee makes the final decision.

Currently, India has 43 World Heritage sites, including 35 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and one mixed site.

A site can lose its status when the World Heritage Committee found that it is not properly maintained or protected. It is first placed in the list of World Heritage in Danger as the committee attempts to find a remedy involving the local authorities. If any remedies fail, the status is removed.

Must Read Articles:

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UNESCO World Heritage Committee

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MARATHA MILITARY LANDSCAPES OF INDIA

MOIDAMS

Source:

PIB

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Raigad Fort:

1. It was originally known as Rairi.

2. It was built as a capital for the Maratha empire.

3. It is referred to as the “Gibraltar of the East.”

How many of the above statements are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

Rigard Fort is located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is located at an elevation of 1,356 meters above the sea level within the Sahyadri mountain range. It was originally called ‘Rairi’.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

In 1656, Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort from the Mores, and Initiated the construction work and developed various buildings and structures of the fort.