Anglo French War in India

ANGLO-FRENCH RIVALRY IN INDIA

The competition between France and England in India was a consequence of the long-standing hostility that had begun with the outbreak of hostilities at Frederick II's Austrian War of Succession(1740-1748) war culminating later on to Seven Years' War(1756-1763). The British and French came for trade, but were eventually sucked into Indian politics. The Carnatic wars (1740-1763) in India were essentially a struggle between English and French whose outcome decided once for all that the former -and not the latter-were best fitted to dominate over the whole country.

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FIRST CARNATIC WAR (1740–48)

The First Carnatic War, a direct extension of the Anglo-French conflict in Europe which was further fuelled by Austrians and Bourbons as part of the Austrian War of Succession.

The Battle of St. Thome (Madras) fought on 4 November, during the First Carnatic War is one in particular that stands out because French forces had allied with Anwar-ud-din's opponent Chanda Sahib and both were complex by English asking help to nawab repel these invaders from other India power Buddhist or Muslims threat appearance for peaceful situation at Teluga.

Effects/Significance Of The First Carnatic War:

• The treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle: The treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle (1748), which ended the Austrian War for Succession resulted in release of Madras to British and hostilities with France came out by 1749.
• Madras was restored to the English: Following that treaty, Madras was restored to the English and the French received some concession in North America.
• The defeat of native army: War demonstrated to the Europeans in India and their Indian that a small disciplined force was capable of routing an army many times its size.
• Naval power: Lastly, it underscored the importance of sea power in the Anglo-French Deccan War.

Second Carnatic War (1749-1754): A Clash of Empires

• On the death of Nizam-ul-Mulk in 1748, Mughal administrator of Deccan and semi-independent Nawab from Hyderabad.
• His death led to a competing festival which the British and French either dragged in or waded on their own.
• In this context, Dupleix, the French governor who had ensured victory for his soldiers in the First Carnatic War against a powerful coalition of Indian rulers with British aid, set out to build and extend his power and that of France as well by intervening into local dynastic rivalries so as to triumph over England.
• The British led by Robert Clive tried to end French supremacy and wanted them out of the way so that their trading interests were well protected.

Effects/Significance of the second Carnatic war:

• Dependency on Europe:It became evident that Indian authority was became dependent on European support.

• Emergence of Robert clive:It was important as it revealed the effectiveness of precedent British military tactics and leadership with Robert Clive.
• Rise of British supremacy: This lead on to the rise of British power in India.

Impact:

• The war laid the ground work for Third Carnatic War (1757-1763), under which ultimately British established their supremacy in India.
• This war helped the British East India Company to establish itself as a dominant political strength in India.

Third Carnatic War (1758-1763)

The Third Carnatic War was the last and most significant of a series of conflicts in India between British East India Company (BEIC) troops with Indian feudal lords on their side - chiefly from Mysore, Hyderabad & Bengal-but which also included some numbers as allies to the British forces and allied against soldiers with French Royal Army elements wrapped within those fighting for France based at Pondicherry.

Effects/Significance of the third Carnatic wars:

• The third carnatic war was one of the major event in Indian history which played an important role in establishing British control over India. This confirmed the BEIC as the most potent European imperial power in India, paving way for their further conquests and establishment of British Raj.

Outcomes:

• Becoming British Stronghold: By acquiring the Carnatic region, BEIC emerged as a powerful entity in India and it set stage for conquering other parts of the country.
• Indian Decline: The French east india company ( FEIC) had been severely weakened and the majority of its Indian Influence/territory reduced.
• British Colonial Expansion: The Third Carnatic War proved critical to British colonial progress, which grew in strength and durability after establishing military dominance for a more decisive hold over the subcontinent.

CAUSES BEHIND ANGLO FRENCH WAR IN THE CARNATIC WARS

The Anglo French War in the Carnatic Wars was characterised by a variety of causes: global imperatives, regional power vacuum and vacillating alliances. Here are some key causes:

1. Global Competition and Trade:

• Rich resources: As the world's leading global trading network, It did not take long for both England and France to become dominant European Colonial powers of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the Indian subcontinent, with its massive resources and riches.
• Trade Routes: Pre-dominantly situated in the modern state of Tamil Nadu, the Carnatic region was strategically placed to control trade routes between India and Europe. Both wanted to establish trading posts as well and protect their commercial interests.
• The most recent being the lucrative spice trade, especially of pepper and cinnamon. England and France both wanted to be the only ones sailing these routes with their goods.

2. Local Power Struggles:

• The Zenith of Nawabs: The Carnatic was sworn by many popular dynasties and empire to rule but ended being driven away due violence prevailing in between their own realm, leaving the region sacked.

The British and the French intervened in these conflicts when they could, both to protect their own interests as well as - it must be noted opportunisticly - aggressively expand (and reconfigure) what territories they owned.

• Mahratta Empire: With Shivaji Maharaj the Mahratta empire was coming up as a strong naval power in India and it becoming a challenge for both British and French. This was followed by alliances and conflicts between the European powers with a Maratha-empire.
• French East India Company: French traders attempted to gain control of the region, primarily through the work of such figures as Joseph François Dupleix. This ambition was contradictory to the British interests.

3. Shifting Alliances:

• Dutch East India Company: Dutch also participated in a series of successful warlords competing for power throughout the region.

An other big European dog in Indian oceans to share this pie was met with many confrontations not only by British but as well Dutch, using their new arm forces. They allied one with another - or feuded, according to how it served them.

• Local rulers: British and French kept changing their allies as a pair of pawns playing with the power play. Resulting more instability, leading to conflict.

4. Religious Factors:

Missionary Activities of both British and French Christian missionaries were engaged in the task of converting local population as Christians. But this occasionally caused religious tensions and eventually conflicts.

5. Military Capabilities:

• Military Superiority of Europeans: There was no doubt that the British and French were artillery men; it is also true, although in limited way they possessed modern military technology and fighting methods compared to their Indian counterparts (with a few exceptions). This enabled them to wield a lot of power in the local political scene.
• Sepoy Armies Both powers raised and trained armies composed of sepoys who were Indian soldiers, contributing to the militirazation of larger region thus increasing likelihood for conflict.

Factors behind British supremacy over the French in Anglo French War:

• The Industrial Revolution: Here, Britain enjoyed an early start to the industrial revolution in comparison to France; this was a technological and economic advantage.
• The Royal Navy: Having the best naval power in many parts of the world thus controlling vital trade routes and enabling them to effectively project their power globally.
• Greater colonial empire: The British Empire was significantly larger and more sprawling than the French overseas colonies, thereby furnishing Britain with valuable resources and strategic sites.
• Stability: The British government was much more stable as compared the political changes which France underwent during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.
• Alliances: They were able to make alliances with other European powers that allowed them to strengthen their position over France in any conflicts.
• Such issues, among others, would give the British a power advantage over the French in Anglo-French competition.