UNESCO has officially granted World Heritage status to a set of 12 historic Maratha forts spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, known as the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. These forts were recognized for their military ingenuity and strategic design, representing a network of defenses built between the 17th and 19th centuries against various empires. With this designation, India’s count of World Heritage Sites rises to 44, impacting tourism, preservation efforts, and local community pride.