The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently accepted Maharashtra’s nomination to confer the World Heritage tag for 14 forts from Chhatrapati Shivaji’s reign.
Officials are now claiming that the State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums is being pressured by some unnamed politicians to add forts in their respective districts to the final nomination list, as per a new report on Indian Express.
With the serial nomination receiving UNESCO approval, the government is now tasked with creating a final list of sites that will receive the World Heritage tag.
“One of the views cited by the leaders is that the forts, which are not in the tentative list, have also contributed to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Swarajya. Hence, these forts should be included in the final list. It has complicated the issue,” an official said.
The official went on to say that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be approached for further clarity on the matter, adding that the State Government may appoint a committee with experts to decide on this.
Read - Dadar's Shivaji Park Renamed As 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park'
In April last year, the Maharashtra Directorate of Archaeology and Museums sent a nomination of 14 ports to the ASI under the theme “Maratha military architecture in Maharashtra”. This was later sent to UNESCO via the Ministry of Culture.
Among the 14 forts in the list was Shivneri which is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the Torna fort, Raigad, Rajgad, and Sindhudurg to name a few.
As per officials familiar with the matter, the final list prepared by the State Government will also include detailed explanations on why these structures have universal value. Another official added that the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage could be approached to help prepare the final list.
Also read - Shivaji Jayanti 2021: Thane Artist Makes World's Largest Mosaic Portrait Of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
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