After UNESCO recognition, Maharashtra to train locals as guides at Maratha Forts
Following the historical inscription of the Maratha military landscapes in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Maharashtra government is taking concrete steps to ensure that recognition means long -term protection, public participation and community participation. One of the most important initiatives currently on the present is the proposed certificate program to educate local residents as heritage guides in 12 written castles.
11 July 2025, 11 castles in Maharashtra –salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Sindhudurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg -and one Villupuram, Tamil Nadu -ge -ge, Gift Verbal Gift Gift. This recognition proposal was prepared by the Directorate of Archeology and Museums of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Maharashtra Government.
These castles were chosen for UNESCO’s cultural criteria (IV) and (VI) in accordance with the extraordinary universal values (OUV), and especially under the vision of Chhatirapati Shivaji Maharaj, the military innovation, ecological adaptation and architectural perfection of the Maratha Empire. Swarajya.
While IV criteria are defined as an extraordinary example of a kind of building, architectural or technological community or landscape, the VI criteria are directly or concretely with artistic and literary works with extraordinary universal importance.
According to Hemant N. Dalavi, Deputy Director of the Archeology and Museums of the Maharashtra Government (DOAM), the next stage will focus on developing protection, creating tourism opportunities, developing field management plans and launching public education programs. Most of this plan is to train and approve local residents as a guide.
Dalavi said, “It took almost two years, which we plan to publish and plan the names of these castles. We recommend a guide certificate program for local residents who have more knowledge about the region,” Dalavi said. “Tourism Department will announce this program itself this year. We are still deciding on minimum education adequacy”.
In the promotion of enterprises, tourism and inheritance, it aims to include people living near the castles and to improve their visitor experience through local rooted information while providing them with employment opportunities. These certified guides will be equipped to explain the historical, cultural and strategic importance of each castle.
Suvarnadurg Fort | Photo Loan: Special Editing
In February 2025, a delegation directed by Maharashtra Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelalar was found in the UNESCO center of Paris for a technical presentation.
Maharashtra Head Minister Vikas Kharter and Additional Chief Secretary, Culture Department, Maharashtra Government, Deputy Director of the Maharashtra Government, Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Dalavi was part of the delegation.
Mr. Kharge, who played a very important role in facilitating diplomatic participation and coordinating international meetings with member states, directed the delegation in the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris in July 2025.
Maharashtra Government Directorate of Archeology and Museums Tejas Garge played an important role in the preparation of the nomination file.
Nashik, Raigad, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Maharashtra Sindhudurg and Tamil Nadu Sindhudurg, the judicial powers of the fortresses under the authority of the castles of the fortresses, and many of the new responsibility is clear, but a new responsibility.
The state is now planning to raise visitor facilities, improve field management and carry out more excavation and public social assistance activities as well as the guide training program. “We have worked with many stakeholders like local residents since the beginning and NGOs working for the protection of historical castles,” he added.
The list process was the result of a detailed and meticulous effort by DOAM in cooperation with the archaeological research of India (ASI) and Dronah (Development and Research Organization for Nature, Art and Heritage), a Gurgaon -based heritage consultancy appointed by the state.
Maharashtra has a complex network of more than 390 castles examined, examined and analyzed. These fortresses were put into a short list of 60 primary and secondary castles, and with the comparative analysis of the 29 primary castle, the existing 12 Capa Castle was the best representative of the Marathha Defense Network. In addition, 53 buffer castles controlled by Marathas but not included in the last inscription were documented and announced to UNESCO evaluators. “These buffer castles are spread to Mahashtra and include three into the buffer area of the Gingee Castle in Tamil Nadu. Nhavigad Castle, Mangi-Tungi Castle, Mulher-Moragad Fort, Hargad Fort and Bhilai Fort.
Ginggee Fort | Photo Loan: Special Editing
Similarly, at Shivneri Fort, the buffer covers the Shivner cluster with its old Junnar town and Mint Ghat trade route; There are five castles that surround the trade route to Shivneri, where there are five castles: Chavand Fort, Jivdhan Fort, Bhaivgad Fort, Nimgiri Fort and Hadsar Fort.
There are 10 buffer castles in the Lohagad Castle, there are four in Khanderi Fort, Raigad and Rajgad Castle have eight buffer castles, there are seven in Pratapgad castle, there are three, Panhala-Pawangad Castle, Panhala-Pawangad Castle, Panhala-Pawangad Castle, Panhalgad Castle.
Dalavi, “Capa Castles, Maratha Empire in the history of the major castles that played an important role in the history.
In the future, the plan, including local Gram Panchayats, Municipal Companies, Forest Department and MRSAC (Maharashtra Remote Perception Applications), including various government departments, information centers and protection infrastructure includes establishing tourist facilities, information centers and protection infrastructure.
The guided training program, Mr. Dalavi, said it would be an important step in the inclusion of the local population in the inheritance economy and protection. The guides will not only interpret the castles for visitors, but will also serve as important stakeholders in protecting and protecting them.
