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CHANAKAYA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

HISTORY

ANGLO-FRENCH STRUGGLE

VINAY KUMARROLL NO -378,FIRST YEAR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is my privilege to record my deep sense to perform gratitude to those who

helped me in completion of this project.

In making of this project many people helped me immensely directly or

indirectly. First of all I would like to thank Dr. Priyadarshni who had given me

an idea and encouragement for making this project. I would like also to thank

my friends for being cordial in order to make conducive environment of the

CNLU Hostel.

Vinay kumar

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology is a systematized investigation to gain new knowledge

about the phenomena or problems. Legal phenomena require their own research

methodology. The research methodology applied here is doctrine method of

research. The systematic investigation of problems and of matters concerned

with the topic “Anglo-French struggle ” has been done. The books in the

library and materials available on the internet have been used to study about the

topic. The main goal of this research is to understand the legal system prevailing

in this era.

(Signature)

Table of contents

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Contents

page no

1. Intoduction .............................. 5

2. Early settlement ............................... 6

3. First carnatic war(1746-48) .................................8

4. Second carnatic war (1749-54) .................................11

5. Third carnatic war(1757-63) .................................13

6. conclusion

..................................15

7 .bibliography ...................................16

INTRODUCTION

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English as well French was the major power in the world. Both of them wanted to show

their supremacy by the of colonising more places. Industrial revolution had already taken

place in the Europe, and major power wanted to conquer places in order meet the demand of

raw material . . There was stiff competition between these two i.e French and English to

acquire more and more territory . In many part of world both of them had acquired

proportional land. India was the best example for this policy. Both them had territory but

neither of them interfered in each other matter. Some has derived a formula that ,‘two dagger

can’t lie in same case. There were continuous wars between these two powers,i.e Britain and

French. These war were namely- First Carnatic War(1746-48), Second Carnatic

War(1749-54)And Third Carnatic War(1757-63). These wars were the determinant that

English , not the French were the real the master of the India. So this war regarded as the

determining wars fought in the Indian history. The war proceed as French and its rivalries

English on one side and Deccan king on other side. The was short struggle between French

and the Englishmen for having its commercial supremacy over commercial territory of

Deccan. All these important factors shaped the course of events as they developed from a

petty struggle for the privileges of trade into the empire of the Mughal.

But it has been proved by the Englishmen that their wars tactics was one of the best in the

world. French army had their initial success under the leadership of Dupleix, but latter they

were forced to die hard, means complete defeat against the supremacy of the English.

FRENCH EAST INDIA COMPANY AND EARLY SETTLEMENT

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There was a strong desire in the French colonist to colonise India and this desire has been

quoted through their writing. Once quoted, “ the desire of eastern traffic displayed itself a

very early period among the French “, but they were the last European to advent its

commercial activities in india. Commercial trade was the ultimate gain which each and every

European country wanted to achieve but French was the last to advent in India. Frenchmen

like Henry IV,Richelieu and Colbert realised the importance of eastern commerce . At the

effort of Colbert , compaige Des Indes orientales” was created to conquer eastern central

Asia. European tried the fruitless effort at Madagasca.

The first French factory in india was established by Francosis Caron at surat in 1668,which

was accompanied by another at Massulipatam in 1669. Factory at Masulipatam was

established after obtaining patent right from sultan of Golkunda. In 1672 the French army

defeated San thome,a Dutch leader at Madras, but at same time their own Adimiral De La

Haye , was defeated by combined force of sultan of Golconda and Dutch army .As a

consequence of this fight ,French army had to surrender San thome to the Dutch.

Meanwhile , in 1673 Francosis and Bellanger De Lespinay ,one of the right hand of

Admiral De La Haye captured a village from muslim governor of Valikondapuram. This

lead to the foundation of Pondicherry. Francosis martin was the helping hand, who took

charge of this settlement through excessive interest ,courage and tact.

In Bengal, nawab Shaista khan allotted exclusive sites to French in 1674. Here French built

a famous factory of Chandernagore in 1690-92.there was stiff competition between Dutch,

English and French to increase its territorial influence in India. Dutch supported English to

root out French from India. Pondicherry was captured by Dutch in 1693,but was again

handed back to the French by the “treaty of Ryswick” in 1693. Martin was again placed in

charge of Pondicherry and he restored the prosperity; so that it is

claimed that Pondicherry had a population of 40,000 at time of his death in 1706. While on

the other hand Calcutta used to possessed only 20,000 people in the same year.

In the beginning of 17th century ,French started losing its control over factories at Bantam,

Surat and Masulipatnam. They were abandoned from most of the places, resulting loss of

strong hold over its territory by the beginning of the 18th century. The resources of the French

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army was practically exhausted by the time , since 1720 it passed through very bad days ,

even selling its licences to other.

French people were never in strong as their counterpart. With the reconstitution of the

company in 1720 their perpetual succession again returned under the wise administration of

Lenoir and Dumas between 1720 and 1742 .The French occupied Mauritius in 1721,Mahe

and Malabar coast in 1726,Karnikal in 1739. The motive of French was purely economical

and many of their tactician devoted their minds for trade purposes, they never devoted their

time for political conquests. Most of their leader lacked of political idea of conquest and

spent most of their time in self defence against Dutch and English. After 1742 political

motives began to overshadow the desire of commercial gain and Dupleix began to cherish the

empire in India.

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ENGLISH AND FRENCH THE FIRST – CARNATIC WAR(1746-48)

For more than 20 years the carnatic –the name given by the European to the coast and its

hinterland -became the scene of long drawn contest between the French and the British,

which led to overthrow of French power in India. These wars were the determinant that

English , not the French were the real the master of the India. So this war regarded as the

determining wars fought in the Indian history. The war proceed as French and its rivalries

English on one side and Deccan king on other side. The was short struggle between French

and the Englishmen for having its commercial supremacy over commercial territory of

Deccan. All these important factors shaped the course of events as they developed from a

petty struggle for the privileges of trade into the empire of the Mughal.

Madras and the Pondicherry were the trading station of French and the English on the

Coromandel coast. Each of these was fortified city with about 500 European and 25,000

Indians. The English also possessed St.David the small sea coast and depended for their

safety and fresh supplies of resources from home upon the command of the sea. Both

English and the French were the on the vantage position who didn’t have navy, which

ultimately made success for the two European to administer whole sea .

The existence of common goals led in South East Asia to real inter-colonial collaboration

between two colonial powers which were supposed to be rivals.Like everywhere, the

colonisers had to consolidate their authority through the administration and the economic

exploitation of their Asiatic possessions andprotectorates. But the local conditions were

specific. The distance from thehome country, the existence of ancient local civilisations and

politicalstructures, the natural constraints, were objective conditions that French and British

had to be aware of.1

Condition of the Indian ruler was always deplorable, failed to maintain navy and highly

equipped weapon ; they always had short hand in battle field. Province was under Suhadar of

Deccan, and was ruled by a governor called Nawab, with its headquarters at Arcot. Nizam-

ul-mulk, the Suhadar of Deccan , had made a independent territory, and the nizam behaved as

if like a independent prince. The nizam was attached with Marathas and was having trade

affairs with northern India. In1743, Marathas had plundered into the carnatic war, killed its

1 ASIA EUROPE JOURNAL SPRINGER VERLAG (2004)

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governor, Nawab Dost Ali. Chanda shaheb ,the Son of Dost Ali was taken to Satara as

prisoner of war. Safdar ali ,another son of Dost Ali saved his life by paying one crore rupees ,

but soon he was murdered by the cousin. The youngest among brother obtained the post of

Nawab . All these revolt and incident created a stigma of fear and distraction among the

people of Carnatic region, even the Nawab took time to recover from agony and distraction.

All things were restored after a period three to four months. Nawab of Deccan appointed

Anwar- ud-din , a tried servant ,as the Nawab of carnatic region. Condition of carnatic region

became bad to worse, while relatives of Dost Ali even have huge jagirs.2

While whole of the carnatic Was being convulsed by three political events, the English and

French were carrying their settlement through unhindered trade and commerce. The French

as well as British didn’t take part in the political interest of Indian until and unless and it

affected their trade affairs. In 1740,there was Austrian war of succession among the European

countries. In this war both these countries took active part against each other. These raised a

kind of tension in the colonial power existing in India. The European countries were hostile

against each other and failed to maintain any neutrality in their colonised state. The French

governor of Pondicherry proposed neutrality in trade relations, but the British colonised east

India company didn’t assured for such obligation, especially in the field of sea where they

had strong hand.

As a matter of fact , Englishmen tried to capture the French territory but the entrance of

heroic la bourdonnais , paved a way for the French trader. The French people were armoured

fleet which they lacked in the earlier part of the war. British either controlled or had to

move away to the territory of the Calcutta ,taking their all fleets. Now British have total

control over the territory of Madras ,at meagre cost of six life as it wasn’t used to be in past

arena .

While of the other hand ,Anwar –Ud- Din was appointed as the Nawab of the Carnatic ,and

also tried to control contest raging in the country. Duplex appointed Nawab a protector of the

right and obligation of the English ships. Duplex was controller of rights and duties of the

king against navy and territorial interest of people . French were the superior in this phase,

and emerged as the superior in all three subordinates i.e Britain and regional kings . French

conquered the territory of Madras from the clutches of Nawab. The main reason for the

failure of Nawab was incapacity of the theirs to handle the navy .Nawab didn’t have well

2 Modern India 2nd edition L.P Sharma 29

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equipped navy in those days ,and it was the main reason of British’s defeat. Finally the

Nawab’s army was to forced retire before St.Thome.

The Defeat of Nawab was Nawab army had a far reaching consequences , leading to increase

in the prestige of French amongst the other European nation. La Bournannis was ready to

restore madras for ransom of certain amount ,but Duplex was against policy. After a

prolonged quarrel , Dupleix seemed ready to submit, when a severe hurricane caused damage

to the French fleet and forced La Bourdannis to retire with his ships from the Indian seas.

Finally French had control of Madras and treaty of Madras was signed ,under which French

plundered into whole of madras .here they ruled over eighteen months.3

In June 1748, a large scale army was sent from England to plunder into the Madras , and

conquer the lost territory. English supported by Indian ruler came with a huge army came to

conquer the Madras and extend its territorial control till Pondicherry. Madras was now under

the control of English with minimum number of casualties. English men also tried to control

over the French territory at Pondicherry but was saved due to the lack of military skills of

military skills of the besieging army and latter was force to siege the war. Austrian war of

succession had been concluded by treaty of chapello(1748) and same terms and codition had

been followed to restore the territory of Madras to the English. Both war had been conclude

d by the territorial gain of both sides.4

3 Mordern history –V.D. Mahajan 16 Edn.20044 Sarkar and Dutta , Modern India History vol II

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Second Carnatic War ( 1749-54)

Both French and English army supported by the regional ruler were left comprised by the

treaty and this had changed the situation existing in between them. The war illustrated the

power struggle between English and French. Both of the parties were in position to uplift

themselves the superior power of the sea. They thought that without control over the

sea ,none of them were able to maintain the imperial control over the vast empire colonised

by them. The French were restricted to the carnatic war while on the other hand English had

already managed a super massive control over the Bengal and Bombay .5

Indian king like Anwar-ud-din have recognised that merely maintaining a large is better was

not enough to fight with skilled army of the European countries. French army also had a

great leadership of the Dupliex which always proved a better hand to fight against the British.

Another discontent started against the Anwar-ud-in Khan who had been the Nawab of the

carnatic region, among the relatives of the Nawab Dost Ali. Chanda Sahib Who was the son-

in-law of the Nawab Dost Ali had been taken as the prisoner by the Marathas in the 1741. He

had been released after 7 years. He was eyeing to control over the Deccan region. Dupleix

was egarly waiting for the similar situation and concluded a treaty between Chanda sahib and

Mujafar jung Ali with a view to place them on them on the throne of carnatic and Deccan

respectively. On the 3rd August 1749, the three allies defeated and killed Anwar-ud-in at the

battle of Almur to the south east of Vellore. Muhammad Ali ,the son of the Anwar ud-in ,fled

to Trichponoply and a French army was sent to the town.

The English could not fail to realise the great danger which threatened them, but they lacked

the energy of the Dupliex. They sent urgent invitations to Nasir jang to come and crush his

enemies and sent some help to the Muhammed Ali at Trichinopoly. The result was that

inspite of initial success in the carnatic ,Nasir jung was killed in the 1750. Mujjafar jang,

who had been kept as a prisoner and was set now aside free and now claimed Subhdar of the

Deccan. The suhadar rewarded his services French allies for his services. He appointed

Dupleiex as the governor of the Mughal territories of the south of the Krishna river and

ceded the territories near Pondicherry as well as on the Orissa coast ,including the famous

town of Masaulipatnam.

5 Mallesion G.B ,History of French in India

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Mujaffar jung and Chanda sahib, occupied the throne at Hyderabad and Acrot. In less than

two year an insignificant body of French under the leadership of Dupliex’s success appeared

nothing sort of miracle.

In meantime events were marching rapidly in the north .Robert clive ,a civilian employee in

Madras has been lately joined the Army. He proposed a expedition against the Acrot, which

had been already suggested by Muhammad Ali and approved by the English governor ,

Saunder as best means of Preventing the fall of the Trichnopoly , for the chanda Sahib was

sure to divert the effective part of his capital. The proposal was accepted and clive was

entrusted with its execution of his capital. Chanda sahib immediately sent a relieving force

from Trichinopoly to recapture his capital. For fifty three days Clive heroically defended the

city besieging forces withdrew.

The French general in charge of the siege of Trinchonopoly, was unlevered by the success

of the clive and took refuge on the island of the Srirangam. At the instance of the Robert

Clive the English besieged the island .Dupleix sent reinforcement but surrendered to the

English on June,9 ,1752.6

Dupleix won over Mohari Rao and the ruler of the Mysore to his side and secured the

neutrality of the Raja of Tanjore. He then began active operations( 31st December 1752) and

renewed the siege of Trinchnopoly . Minor military engagement took place throughout 1753

with alternative success and failure of the on both sides .

French authorities were thoroughly tired of the Dupleix and decided to recall him. They never

understood the full implication of the mastery policy and the heavy financial losses which his

policy was involved .Accordingly they sent Godeheu to investigate the local condition and

take proper action to retrieve the situation. Goudheiu policy was opposed to the policies of

the Dupleix. He opened negotiation with the English and concluded a treaty. The English

and French agreed on the proposal that they would not interfere in the Quarrel of the Princes

and each party would be left in the possession of the territories which was actually possessed

by them at the time of treaty.

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THIRD CARNATIC WAR(1757-63)

The peace was established in the Carnatic region by the treaty of Godeheu was again broken

by the seven year war .In 1758, warlike operation began on a large scale. The condition was

worsening day by day , English Company had to call back their forces from Bengal under the

command of the Pocock. French received enforcement from home, Count De Lily was sent to

conduct the war. He was invested with over Naval Forces which were commanded by D’

Ache.

Lally began splendidly. He Besieged the Fort. David on 1 st may and the place was captuated

by him on 2nd June 1758. He wisely decided to strike the root of the British power in the

Carnatic by reducing Madras. But D’ Ache who had been defeated by the English fleet on

28th April 1758, refused to sail. It was impossible to carry out the operation without the Navy,

and so Lally to relive his financial difficulties by forcing Raja of Tanjore to pay 70 lacs of his

rupees which he had owned to the French. In meantime, English fleet had engaged D’Ache’s

squadron and inflicted heavy losses upon it. As soon Lally received the news, he raised the

siege of Tanjore (10th August 1758). Thereby not inflicting his own reputation but also the

prestidge of the French Army.

The French fleet now left the Indian seas and Lally had to wait till English forced to leave the

Harbour of the Madras on the approach of Monsoon.On 17th February 1759,when English

army reappeared after monsoon, then French attacked immediately. Luck never favour

cowards , so they were defeated in the counter attack ; seiging the future of the French in

India.

In the carnatic war,English took the aggressive steps. The severe war between English and

the French leaded by Pocock fom English side and D’Ache from French side. The defeat in

this battle had successive impact on all over world ; leaving English as master of sea.

Consequently French were defeated bitterly in Madras.

By the last of effort , French general hoped that they would revive after collision with Hyder

Ali, the ruler of Mysore. The idea was well conceived but lead no success for French. Hyder

Ali sent troops to help the French army, but due to lack of military supervision they suffered

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a heavy set back against the English Army. The army sent returned to its previous destination

,leaving Lally to suffer his own fate.

Pondicherry was blocked by both land as well as sea. On 16th January 1761, British attacked

the territory and widely ruined the resources of the French. Pondicherry was sieged by the

English army following the capure of the Ports of Jinji and Mahe , which was under French

control. French lost their possession over India, but they restored back by the Treaty of

Paris.

The reason for defeat was possibly the weak support from the motherland. Whenever they

required money they were not provided so.Both Lally and Dupleix had face the consequences

of weak support from the home, which caused great loss to the reputation of French in India.

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CONCLUSION

Since the 15th century when Europeans first arrived in India the fight for supremacy between

rival factions became a part of the Indian history. But the Anglo-French struggles should get

special mentions, as there role in shaping the course of modern India is far more important

than that of any other contemporary struggles.

The actual onset of the struggles arose from Anglo-French commercial and political rivalry in

India and political rivalry in Europe. In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century the

French stake in India was not great enough to be worth the despatch of an English armament.

The two companies therefore declared neutrality and went on trading. But between 1720 and

1740 the French Company's trade increased ten times in value until it was nearly half that of

the old-established English company at about Pound 880,000.

The stake of both countries in India was now considerable. The British were deeply involved

with indigo, saltpetre, cottons, silk, and spices; they had a growing, trade with China and a

strong vested interest in England itself in the form of shipping and stores brokers. The value

of the trade was more than ten per cent of the public revenue of Great Britain at that time.

The occasion for intervention arose with Frederick the Great of Prussia's seizure of Silesia in

1740. In the war of the Austrian Succession, which followed (1740-48) Britain and France

were on the opposite sides in the rival coalitions. It is these wars, of wholly European origin,

which provided the political turning point in the history of modern India. In 1746 a French

fleet made possible the capture of Madras. In 1748 a British fleet made an unsuccessful

attempt to capture Pondicherry. Madras was again exchanged between the French and the

British by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

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Bibliography

BOOKS REFERRED

Modern History,VD Mahanjan

History of Modern India, LP Sharma,2004

An Advanced History of India, R.C. Majumdar 2005,Edn

Mallesion G.B ,History Of French In India

WEBSITE

www.google.com

Www.wikepedia.com

WWW.Enclyopedia.com

Www.debojiblogspot.com

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