History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c49.s2.1

v3.c49.s2.1

But, with all its agricultural poverty, this ‘desert land’ (*Maru-mar*) enjoyed a peculiar importance in the geography of Mughal India. The shortest and easiest trade-route from the Mughal capital to the rich manufacturing city of Ahmadabad and the busy port of Cambay lay through its limits. From Agra the western road through the loyal State of Jaipur to the imperial city of Ajmir was safe and well-frequented. Thereafter it crossed a gap in the Aravali barrier and ran level through the Marwar cities of Pali and Jhalor to Ahmadabad. The alternative or eastern route through the Malwa plateau and the broken jungly Panch Mahals was longer and marked by many a rise and fall. Indeed, the Marwar road was so manifestly advantageous that as early as the 12th century after Christ trade caravans are known to have regularly used it, and a race of robbers found a rich income by raiding Pali and levying blackmail on the transit of goods. The convenient situation of Pali, as a half-way house between Ahmadabad and Ajmir, made it the chief commercial mart of Western Rajputana.*