History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c76.s4.23

v5.c76.s4.23

Konkan served the Marathas as an excellent base for organising these operations, as the Western Ghats formed a screen in their front, while the possessions of the friendly Portuguese along the western coast afforded a safe refuge to the wives and children of their fighters even when the enemy descended into the eastern belt of Konkan. The Ghats, with their countless forts and intricate pathways, were the most suitable place for launching expeditions from, being equally convenient for surprising the Mughals and evading their strong outposts. Thus the natural strategic value of Konkan was heightened by the present distribution of the rival forces.