Carnatic Wars & Anglo-French Rivalry

Carnatic Wars & Anglo-French Rivalry

• The Carnatic Wars represent a series of conflicts between the British and French in India, key to the Anglo-French Rivalry
• This rivalry was a competition for dominance within the Indian subcontinent.

First Carnatic War (1746-1748)

• The First Carnatic War, lasting from 1746 to 1748, centered on control over Madras.
• The French Navy captured Madras during the conflict.
• The Battle of St. Thomas was a crucial engagement where French forces defeated the Nawab's forces
• The Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle in 1748 concluded the First Carnatic War and was negotiated in the European theatre.
• The Austrian War of Succession (1740-1748), involving Maria Theresa and the Habsburg Monarchy, influenced events in India.
• La Bourdonnais was the French commander during the First Carnatic War.
• Anwaruddin, the Nawab, appealed for the French to leave Madras demonstrating the involvement of local rulers.
• Fort St. George, a British fort, was captured by French forces.

Key Figures & Regions

• Dupleix, a French governor, initially advised neutrality but later played a significant role in Indian affairs
• Mysore was a region where the French gained considerable influence
• Pondicherry served as a French stronghold in India.
• The Nawab of Carnatic was a local ruler involved in the First Carnatic War.
• Surat was an early trading post for the British in India.
• Carnatic was a key region in India, central to British-French conflicts.
• Alivardi Khan was the Bengal ruler during French expansion.
• Marathas, a regional power in India, limited French influence.

Essential Factors

• Maritime competition and naval power greatly impacted colonial expansion.
• The French concentrated their influence in southern India.
• French superiority was demonstrated through Dupleix's diplomacy and naval power.
• Technological developments and superiority played a key role in military outcomes.
• The British East India Company and the French East India Company were trading companies expanding and competing for territorial control.

Second Carnatic War (1749-1754)

• The Second Carnatic War, from 1749 to 1754, revolved around succession issues.
• Civil wars occurred in Hyderabad and Carnatic states.
• Anwar-ud-din, the Nawab of Carnatic, was supported by the English.
• Chanda Sahib, supported by the French, opposed Anwar-ud-din.
• Muzaffar Jung, grandson of Nizam, received French support.
• Nasir Jung, son of Nizam, received English support.
• Anwar-ud-din was defeated and killed in the Battle of Ambur on August 3, 1749.
• The Trichinopoly Fort was besieged by French and Chanda Sahib's forces.
• Robert Clive's raid, the Siege of Arcot, aimed to relieve Trichinopoly.
• Dupleix was recalled due to significant financial losses.
• Charles Robert Godeheu succeeded Dupleix as French Governor-General.
• The Treaty of Pondicherry, signed in 1754, ended the Second Carnatic War.

Key Figures and Factions

• Nizam-ul-Mulk founded the Hyderabad state.
• Dost Ali was the former Nawab and father-in-law of Chanda Sahib.
• Muhammad Ali, son of Anwar-ud-din, fled to Trichinopoly.
• Salabat Jung, Muzaffar Jung's uncle, became Nizam after Muzaffar.

Important points

• Puppet Nawabs were installed rulers under foreign influence.
• Combined forces achieved siege relief to Trichinopoly.
• Interference in dynasties involved colonial powers in local succession disputes.
• Significant financial losses led to Dupleix's recall.
• Treaty terms included agreements by both parties not to interfere in local matters.

Third Carnatic War (1758-1763)

• The Third Carnatic War, from 1758 to 1763, took place during the Seven Years' War.
• Arthur de Lally, a French commander, captured English forts in 1758.
• Admiral D'Ache led the French fleet, which suffered losses at Masulipatnam.
• The Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 resulted in a British victory over French forces.
• Eyre Coote was the British general who routed the French army.
• Arthur de Lally was the French general who defended Pondicherry.
• Pondicherry was surrendered by the French on January 16, 1761.
• After 1763, French possessions were limited to protectorate states.
• The Treaty of Paris in 1763 concluded the Seven Years' War and sealed French ambitions in India
• The Seven Years' War expanded European conflicts to India becoming a global war.

French vs British East India Company

• The French East India Company was a state undertaking with bureaucratic control.
• The British East India Company was a private entity with operational flexibility.
• Bureaucratic control limited French effectiveness.
• The British navy was superior to the French navy in naval strength.
• Control over Bengal provided the British with an advantage in the Indian subcontinent.
• The French failed to navigate Indian political complexities.
• Directors appointed by Crown managed the French East India Company.
• Opening fronts led to military overextension for the French.

Bengal

• Saadat Khan, also known as Burhan-ul-Mulk, founded the independent Awadh principality.
• Safdar Jang succeeded Saadat Khan in Awadh.
• Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, opposed the British.
• Fort William, a British fort, was surrendered to Siraj-ud-daulah.
• Cossimbazar was the location of a British factory besieged by the Nawab.
• Alivardi Khan preceded Siraj-ud-daulah as the Nawab of Bengal.
• Murshidabad was the capital of Bengal under the Nawabs.
• The misuse of trade privileges by the company affected the Nawab's finances.
• Siraj's forces occupied the city on June 16, during the Siege of Calcutta.
• The French improved French fortifications in anticipation of war with the British.
• French territories were returned but restricted from fortifications.

Black Hole Tragedy & Battle of Plassey

• The Black Hole Tragedy in 1756 led to British public outrage.
• Siraj-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, was responsible for prisoners' deaths.
• Robert Clive was a British officer pivotal in Bengal's conquest.
• The Treaty of Alinagar in 1757 restored English trade privileges
• Mir Jafar, a Nawab's court leader, allied with Clive.
• Jagat Seth, a Marwari banker, was involved in British alliances
• Omi Chand was a rich merchant supporting British interests in Bengal.
• The Battle of Plassey in 1757 established British rule.
• Miran, son of Mir Jafar, executed Nawab.
• The British were granted Zamindari of 24 Parganas after Plassey victory.
• Dastak was a permit allowing tax-free trade for British officials.
• Bribes and exploitation by British officials were rampant, fueling corruption in Mir Jafar's rule.
• Mir Qasim succeeded Mir Jafar, facing British dominance.
• In 1759, the Dutch were defeated by the British in the Battle of Bedara.
• Mir Jafar conspired with Dutch against British interests.
• Clive's exploitation and corruption resulted in Nawab's bankruptcy.