Malwa served as the essential “land bridge” between the Maratha heartland in the Deccan and the rich plains of Northern India. Strategically, it was the gateway to Delhi and the Doab region. By controlling Malwa, the Marathas secured their supply lines, facilitated the movement of their cavalry and established a forward base for all their future northern expansion. ANSWER: (C) Control over north–south routes
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Geographically, Malwa sits atop the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, connecting the Deccan plateau with the Indo-Gangetic plains. For the Peshwas, Malwa was more than just a source of revenue; it was a tactical necessity. Controlling this region allowed the Marathas to intercept Mughal communications and move troops rapidly between Pune and Delhi. Its fertile soil and wealthy trade routes also provided a stable economic base. Its conquest by Bajirao I was the decisive step that transformed the Maratha state from a southern kingdom into an all-India empire.