Anglo-French Rivalry (Carnatic Wars)

 Okay, here are the notes covering the points mentioned in the lecture about the arrival of Europeans and the Anglo-French Carnatic Wars:

Arrival of Europeans in India

1. Five Main European Powers: The lecture focuses on the arrival and competition between five European powers in India:

   • Portuguese (First to arrive)

   • Dutch

   • British (English)

   • Danes

   • French (Last major power to establish a significant presence)

2. Elimination/Sidelining of Rivals: The British eventually faced the French as their main rival after the other powers were sidelined:

   • Portuguese: Sidelined primarily through a marriage alliance (Catherine of Braganza marrying English King Charles II, leading to Bombay being given as dowry). They didn't actively fight the British much after this.

   • Dutch: Defeated by the British in the Battle of Bedara (or Chinsura) in Bengal (1759, though the year isn't mentioned explicitly here, the battle is). They subsequently focused their interests on Indonesia.

   • Danes: Their presence was minimal. They found trade unprofitable and eventually sold their settlements (like Tranquebar and Serampore) to the British and left India.

   • French: Arrived later, established by Colbert (finance minister under Louis XIV) as a government company. They became the primary competitors to the British.

3. Remaining Rivals: By the mid-18th century, the main contest for supremacy in India was between the British and the French.

Context for Anglo-French Rivalry (Carnatic Wars)

1. Mughal Decline: After Aurangzeb's death (1707), the Mughal empire weakened significantly, especially by the 1720s (time of Muhammad Shah 'Rangila').

2. Rise of Regional Powers: Provincial governors became semi-independent or independent (e.g., Nizam-ul-Mulk in the Deccan founding the Hyderabad state in 1724, Nawab of Carnatic).

3. Succession Disputes: Deaths of rulers led to succession disputes within these regional states.

   • Hyderabad (Deccan): After Nizam-ul-Mulk's death (1748), a dispute arose between Nasir Jung and Muzaffar Jung.

   • Carnatic: A dispute arose between the incumbent Nawab Anwaruddin and Chanda Sahib.

4. European Interference (Proxy Wars): The British and French exploited these local succession disputes to increase their own influence, supporting rival claimants. This is referred to as "Proxy War".

The Carnatic Wars (Anglo-French Wars in India)

• First Carnatic War (1746-48 / Alternate start 1744 mentioned)

  • Cause: Austrian War of Succession in Europe spilled over into India.

  • Key Events:

    • French Governor Dupleix captured British Madras (Fort St. George).

    • Battle of Adyar / St. Thome (1746): French forces defeated the large army of Nawab Anwaruddin of Carnatic. Significance: Exposed the weakness of traditional Indian armies against smaller, well-trained European forces.

  • End: Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) in Europe.

  • Outcome: Status quo restored in India (Madras returned to the British). France gained territory in North America (Louisbourg).

• Second Carnatic War (1749-54)

  • Cause: Direct interference in local succession disputes (Hyderabad & Carnatic).

  • Alliances:

    • French (Dupleix) supported: Chanda Sahib (Carnatic) & Muzaffar Jung (Hyderabad).

    • British supported: Anwaruddin (Carnatic) & Nasir Jung (Hyderabad).

  • Key Events:

    • Battle of Ambur (1749): French alliance defeated and killed Anwaruddin. Chanda Sahib became Nawab of Carnatic.

    • Nasir Jung and later Muzaffar Jung were killed. Salabat Jung (supported by the French general Bussy) became Nizam of Hyderabad.

    • Siege of Arcot (1751-52): Led by Robert Clive (initially a clerk). A daring move that relieved pressure on the British ally (Muhammad Ali, son of Anwaruddin) besieged in Trichinopoly (Tiruchirappalli) and turned the tide.

    • Chanda Sahib was eventually defeated and killed.

  • Outcome:

    • Dupleix recalled by the French government (seen as a major blunder). Replaced by Godeheu.

    • Treaty of Pondicherry (1754/55) temporarily ended hostilities. British influence increased.

• Third Carnatic War (1756-63)

  • Cause: The Seven Years' War in Europe.

  • Key Event: Battle of Wandiwash (1760) - Decisive British victory.

  • Commanders: Count de Lally (French) vs. Sir Eyre Coote (British).

  • Outcome: French challenge in India effectively ended.

  • End: Treaty of Paris (1763).

  • Result: French were allowed to retain their settlements (like Pondicherry) but strictly for trade purposes – no fortifications or military forces allowed.

Overall Result:

• The British eliminated all European rivals (Portuguese, Dutch, Danes, French) through various means (diplomacy, marriage, purchase, warfare).

• The Carnatic Wars established British supremacy over the French in India.

• The British were now the sole dominant European power, paving the way for their territorial expansion across India using strategies like "Mind" (diplomacy, subsidiary alliance, doctrine of lapse) and "Muscle" (warfare - Anglo-Mysore, Anglo-Maratha, Anglo-Sikh wars etc.).