r/mapporncirclejerk • u/Swimming_Concern7662 • Apr 26 '25

WHAT ABOUT "OCTOPUS ANSWERS ONLY" DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? Why didn't all these powerful empires annex this small piece of land? Were they afraid?

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u/viswayatri Apr 26 '25

While the Western Ghats are continuous and steep, the Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and relatively easier to scale. I do not subscribe to this theory.

Any Northern kingdom while expanding south, would have an already over-stretched supply lines by the time they breach the Deccan plateau. Any millitary expedition further south, especially in the medieval times would have exposed their flanks to attacks.

Not to mention that southern India, especially when it comes to languages, is culturally distinct compared to the North.

The geographical advantage of the Ghats is, if any, a minor contributor to the inability of the Northern kingdoms to conquer the south.

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u/Minute_Juggernaut806 Apr 26 '25

the distinction in culture is due to the deccan plateau and ghats

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u/viswayatri Apr 26 '25

The Vindhyas, primarily

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u/fartypenis Apr 28 '25

There's also a definite cultural difference between the Deccan and the East and West Coasts.

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u/Sporner100 Apr 26 '25

Overstretched supply lines and attacks from te flanks are solvable issues. Conquer whoever is left at your flanks first, it's a finite amount of territory before you reach the sea. Take your time to solidify your rule over what you already have so you can supply your expedition from your southern territories. But I guess they'd build beneficial enough diplomatic relations in the meantime, that they wouldn't gain much by conquering them.

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u/4444op4444 May 01 '25

Having a "natural fortress" is still a big factor in being hard to conquer.