Sawunt Warree/Sawantwadi Invasions and Treaties

During the invasions led by Aurangzeb, the political landscape of Sawunt Warree (Sawantwadi) experienced significant turbulence. The region, located in the Konkan area of Maharashtra, was impacted by Aurangzeb's extensive campaigns against the Marathas and other regional powers.

Aurangzeb's southern campaigns were part of his broader Deccan policy aimed at consolidating Mughal control over the Deccan plateau, which included subduing the Marathas, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Golconda Sultanate. The Sawantwadi region, under the Sawant Bhonsles, was strategically important due to its location and fortifications.

The Sawant Bhonsles, like other Maratha chiefs, faced immense pressure during Aurangzeb’s military campaigns. The Mughal invasion of Konkan, which began in 1683, saw towns such as Kudal and Vengurla being destroyed. This campaign was part of Aurangzeb's efforts to weaken Maratha resistance by targeting their economic and strategic positions in Konkan.

Despite the fierce Mughal onslaught, the local rulers and Maratha chiefs employed guerrilla tactics and fortified their positions to resist the Mughal forces. The Mughal army, although large and well-equipped, faced severe logistical challenges, including food shortages and continuous harassment by Maratha forces, which eventually led to the campaign’s failure.

The prolonged conflict drained both the Mughals and the local administrations. For Sawunt Warree, this period was marked by military engagements and efforts to navigate the shifting allegiances and pressures from both the Marathas and the Mughal Empire. The resilience and guerrilla warfare strategies of the Marathas, including the forces from Sawunt Warree, significantly contributed to Aurangzeb's prolonged and ultimately unsuccessful Deccan campaigns.

In summary, the Sawunt Warree region, under the Sawant Bhonsles, played a critical role in the Maratha resistance against Aurangzeb's invasions, reflecting the broader geo-political turmoil and the significant impact of Mughal-Maratha conflicts on the local administrative and military strategies.