New History of the Marathas v1.c6.43

v1.c6.43

The river Narmada has formed the main boundary between the northern and southern halves of this Indian continent. The first important post which the conquering armies from the north after crossing this river must secure in order to confirm their footing in the south, is Burhanpur on the river Tapti and its covering fort Ashirgad. The next advance is to the region of Daulatabad, Ellora and Aurangabad, about a hundred miles south of Burhanpur. Some 75 miles further south stands Ahmadnagar the main key for any northern conqueror to possess for holding the south. Burhanpur, Aurangabad and Ahmadnagar thus form the principal chain of posts and the region of bitter contest round which converges the present story of the Mughal advance and the Maratha resistance.