A high-level delegation from Maharashtra, led by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, is currently in Paris to advocate for UNESCO World Heritage status for 12 forts associated with the legendary Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

The Maharashtra government has submitted a formal proposal under the theme ‘Maratha Military Landscape of India,’ seeking the inclusion of these historic forts in UNESCO’s prestigious World Heritage list. The forts included in the proposal are Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Lohagad, Salher, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Khanderi, and Jinji in Tamil Nadu.