The sentinels of Maharashtra's martial history may soon get a new lease of life. The state government is planning to conserve and develop nine forts across Maharashtra as model forts on the lines of the plans to develop the erstwhile Maratha-era capital at Raigad. Archaeological excavations will also be undertaken at these sites, just like at Raigad.

"I had been requesting for model forts to be developed in Maharashtra on the lines of Raigad, even if it is not possible to conserve all 350 on these lines. These nine forts will be developed on the lines of Raigad fort, inclusive of conservation measures, basic infrastructure, and tourist amenities," said Rajya Sabha MP Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who heads the state government body developing the Raigad fort.

The nine forts are: Shivneri (Pune), Kolaba (Raigad), Janjira (Raigad), Sindhudurg (Sindhudurg), Panhala (Kolhapur), Devgiri (Aurangabad), Narnala (Akola), Gavilgad (Amravati), and Solapur (Solapur). At present, these forts are under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the state directorate of museums and archaeology.

Raigad was the capital of 17th century warrior-king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Maharashtra government has embarked on a Rs 606 crore plan to conserve the fort.

While Raigad is the first fort in Maharashtra where archaeological excavations are being conducted by the ASI, Sambhajiraje, who is the scion of the Kolhapur royal family, said similar excavations will also be undertaken at these nine sites. This will help throw light on the social, religious, economic, military, and political history of the period.

"Scientific conservation and restoration will be undertaken at these sites while keeping heritage values intact," he said.

"These works will be undertaken by the ASI, the state directorate, and the public works department (PWD)," he added, stating that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) may be inked by the state government in a month.

The ASI and the state government have recognised just 100 of the 353 forts in Maharashtra as protected monuments; the rest are crumbling due to lack of preservation. While the ASI controls 51 forts of national importance, such as Raigad, Janjira, and Sindhudurg, the department is in-charge of 49 others such as the Sinhagad, Rajgad, Naldurg, Paranda, Salher, and Mulher.

The directorate of museums and archaeology, which suffers from lack of funding and trained manpower, has 371 monuments in its ambit, including 153 temples, 49 forts, 20 caves, and 149 other sites like the Banganga caves and the Gateway of India. However, it has to manage with just 98 security guards. It is planning to add 88 more forts to its list of protected sites, including 33 in the Pune division.

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