Anglo French war (or) Carnatic Wars

Anglo French war (or) Carnatic Wars (1746 – 1763):

• The rivalry between French and British occurred mostly in South India because of the political situation.
• Though invasion of Nadirshah proved that the administration was weak in Northern region but European did not penetrate there due to the power of Marathas and Nawabs.
• But in South India it was favorable due to no powerful central authority and continuous invasion of Marathas over Hyderabad and Southern parts.
• This created politically unsettled situation and it helps French and British to increase their political power.
• The competition in trading diverted towards politics when both tried to involve in Indian Politics.

First Carnatic War (1746 – 1748):

Reason: Austrian War of Succession broke out in Europe in 1740 and later it was echoed in India.

Persons

1. Governor of Pondicherry: Dupleix (French)
2. Governor of Mauritius: Bourdonnais (French)
3. Governor of Madras: Morse (British)
4. Nawab of Carnatic: Anwar-ud-Din

• Dupleix requested Morse the then Governor of madras not to involve in any conflict in India but British captain Barnett attacked vessels of France in 1745.
• Dupleix contacted La Bourdonnais, the French Governor of Isle of France (Mauritius), who appeared in the Indian waters with eight warships. Peyton, who led the English squadron with his four ships, intercepted the French squadron and in the battle on 6 July 1746 La Bourdonnais defeated him.
• Dupleix captured Madras on 15 September 1746 so Morse tried to get help from Anwar-ud-Din, the Nawab of Carnatic but Dupleix convinced Nawab that he would give Madras to him.
• When Dupleix did not fulfill his promise Nawab sent his troops under his son Mahfuz Khan.
• Battle of Adayar or San Thome – France won the battle with the help of Chanda Sahib the rivalry of Nawab.
• British tried to capture Pondicherry but they failed.
• The war came to an end with Treaty of Aix la Chappelle in 1748 so as Carnatic War.
• France returned Madras to British in return they got Louisburg in North America.
• The war revealed the weakness of Indian rulers and their Army and it proved the European model of Army was far superior to native Indian army.

Second Carnatic War (1749 – 1754):

Reason: Succession war of Hyderabad over Nizamship and Arcot over Nawabship.

• When Asaf Shah, the Nizam of Hyderabad died in 1748 war of succession broke out between Nasir Jang and Mussafar Jang.
• When Sa’adatullah Khan II, the Nawab of Arcot died Anwar-ud-Din became the Nawab but it was opposed by his son in law Chanda Sahib and succession war broke out.
• When French supported one group, the British supported another group and it let to the war.

Two parties

1. French Allies: Dupleix – Mussafar Jang (Hyderabad) – Chandasahib (Arcot)
2. British Allies: Robert Clive – Nasir Jang (Hyderabad) – Anwar-ud-Din (Arcot)

Battle of Ambur (1749)

1. Anwar-ud-Din killed in the battle and his son Muhammed Ali fled to Tiruchinapoly (Trichy).
2. Chandasahib became the Nawab and he granted 80 villages to French.

• In 1750 Nasir Jang killed and Mussafar Jang became the Nizam but later Mussafar Jang also killed by same men who killed Nasir Jang so Bussy of French appointed Salabat Jang brother of Nasir Jang as the Nizam of Hyderabad.
• Salabat Jang granted Northern Circars, the Eastern coastal region of Andra to French.
• Dupleix tried to capture Trichy and Muhmmed Ali.

Battle of Arcot (1751)

• Robert Clive + Muhammed Ali + Ruler of Tanjavur + Raja of Mysore moved against French Force.
• Robert Clive defeated French troops and seized Arcot so he called as Hero of Arcot.
• In the Battle of Kaveripakkam in 1752, Chanda Sahib was killed and British helped Muhammed Ali became the Nawab of Carnatic.
• The war came to an end with Treaty of Pondicherry in 1754.

Result of war:

• France recalled Dupleix from India after his failure.
• Both parties agreed and returned captured territories to each other.
• Salabat Jang became the Nizam of Hyderabad and Muhammed Ali accepted as the Nawab of Carnatic by both British and France.

Third Carnatic War (1756 – 1763):

Reason: Seven Year Global war reflected in India.

Persons:

1. Count de Lally, Bussy (French)

2. Robert Clive and Sir Eyre Coote (British)

• Count de Lally captured British fort St. David in Cuddalore and ordered Bussy to come and aid to capture Madras.
• Robert Clive used this chance Sent Colonel Forde and captured Northern Circar regions

Battle of Wandiwash 1760

• British troops under Sir Eyre Coote defeated the French troops that led by Count de Lally and Bussy.
• British captured Pondicherry and Count de Lally surrendered.
• The war came to an end with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

Result of the War:

• Pondicherry was returned to French.
• French company was not allowed to fortify their place and gather army.
• To avenge this defeat France helped in American War of Independence against British.
• British successfully eliminated French, the last European enemy from India.