Mumbai, Feb 10 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar is set to travel to France to accept the UNESCO World Heritage certificate for 12 forts associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the visionary behind ‘Hindavi Swarajya’.

From February 11 to 16, Minister Shelar will engage in significant events in Paris. A special ceremony will be held to honor the half-bust statue of Bharat Ratna Mahamanav Babasaheb Ambedkar, positioned at the UNESCO Headquarters by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, as stated in a release from the Minister's office.

After an extensive process lasting nearly a year and a half, UNESCO recognized 12 forts from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during its 47th session on July 11, 2025, listing them as part of the World Heritage under the designation ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’.

The official certificate will be presented in Paris by Minister Shelar and his delegation.

“The network of forts designed and established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to defend Hindavi Swarajya from foreign invasions and promote public welfare is a remarkable example of military strategy and governance in Indian history. Today, this extraordinary legacy, which includes 12 forts: Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad, Salher, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi, and Gingee in Tamil Nadu, is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the release elaborated.

In February 2025, a four-member delegation from the Government of Maharashtra, led by Minister Shelar, traveled to Paris to advocate for the forts' recognition with a detailed technical and strategic case.

This upcoming visit to formally receive the World Heritage certificate represents a proud milestone of global acknowledgment for the valor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the lasting legacy of the Maratha Empire.

Minister Shelar will also conduct meetings with the Director-General of UNESCO, subject matter experts, and India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal Sharma.

Discussions will focus on other potential heritage sites from Maharashtra, with confidence expressed that this visit will bolster the State government’s quest for World Heritage designation for Konkan rock art, coastal forts, and intangible cultural traditions such as Pandharpur Wari, Ganeshotsav, and Dahi Handi.

Additionally, the delegation aims to analyze renowned museums in Paris, concentrating on their management techniques, exhibition layouts, and digital technology applications to enhance the development of the future Maharashtra Museum in Bandra, Mumbai.