New History of the Marathas v1.c5.116

v1.c5.116

"The political importance of these western mountains is indeed striking. Firstly, they nourish a resolute, enduring, daring almost audacious spirit among their inhabitants. Secondly, they offer strongholds and fastnesses to which these inhabitants can resort whenever they are pressed by an enemy. In fact they long and successfully defied the attempts of the Muslim rulers of Bijapur and Ahmadnagar to subdue them; and thirdly, they lie between fertile countries, consequently, the men of the hills can make rapid raids for plundering or marauding purposes, just as the eagle swoops from its eyrie upon the quarry. After these sudden descents they can rapidly carry off plunder, treasure and the like to the hills, and once they are there, it is difficult to approach them." Innumerable instances have occurred in Maratha history in which the agents of Government removed their valuables and womenfolk to these mountain fastnesses and thus prevented them from falling into the enemy's hands. Indeed, the possession of these strongholds has often formed a subject of bitter strife between various Maratha clans. It is thus that these regions became the cradle of greatness, power and Empire for the Marathas.