Here is the small analysis on Google maps on what might have been going on in Sri Krishna`s and Pandavas minds when they asked for five villages as part of the failed negotiations with Duryodhana. This might have already been analyzed by academicians and Historians but I just want to throw in my analysis. Also the villages might be disputed by learned people but like I said, I have taken what was available in google and tried to draw my analysis.
The 5 villages asked by Sri Krishna were (used the present-day terms for these villages) –
- Panipat
- Sonipat
- Baghpat
- Indraprastha
- Tilpat
Please refer the image below for any inputs.
If you look at the map from Hastinapur perspective, all the 5 villages are arranged almost in a linear fashion. And out of the 5 villages, only Baghpat is towards Hastinapur side of River Yamuna while the rest of the 4 villages are on the other side of river Yamuna. Interestingly, Baghpat lies at the midpoint of the 5 villages and almost equidistant from the farthest villages i.e., Tilpat and Panipat i.e., 55Kms. Therefore, it is strategically placed. The Pandavas can easily launch an offensive against Kauravas. While the rest of the 4 villages on the other side of Yamuna have the advantage of the river as a Natural barrier which can be used for Defence. Moreover, having an offensive at Baghpat means less movement of Troops and resources.
The distance between the 2 farthest villages i.e., Panipat and Tilpat is 110Km and the distance between each of them to Hastinapur is almost the same i.e., 101-102 Km almost making it an isosceles triangle. Therefore, the time taken by Kauravas to attack any of these both villages will almost be the same. Pandavas can therefore prepare for any attacks well in time and also the time taken for the troops to move from the farthest village will also be the same as Kauravas.
This will effectively mean that Duryodhana cannot attack Pandavas without suffering heavy collateral damage. It might because of this strategic reason he would have declined Sri Krishna`s proposal.