Carnatic Wars

Carnatic Wars

In the 18th century, three Carnatic Wars were fought between various Indian rulers and British and French East India Company on either side. These wars resulted in establishment of political supremacy of British East India Company. The French company was reduced in the areas around Pondicherry only. Commercial and maritime rivalry between France and England was the primary reason behind these wars. The entire south India was divided into minor Rajas, Nawabs and petty chieftains who fought with each other for supremacy. British and French took opposite sides to support these rivals and increase their own dominance.

First Carnatic War (1744-48)

In 1740, Europe was entangled into the War of Austrian Succession. The belligerents on one side were Prussia, Spain, France; Sweden etc. while on other side were Habsburg monarchy, England, Dutch Republic and Russia. Since France and Russia were on opposite side, a contest was inevitable between French and British East India Company forces in India also.

The war began with British Fleet arrived on Coromandel Coast and they started capturing the French Ships. The French Governor Dupleix requested the Nawab of Arcot Anwaruddin Khan for interference but Nawab did not respond.  French asked backup forces from Mauritius. When these forces came, they attacked British, captured Madras and imprisoned the British Company servants including Robert Clive. To recapture Madras from French, Nawab of Arcot sent troops to Fort St George but the forces of Nawab were defeated by French, which were very less in number but excellent in warfare.

During the negotiations about fate of Madras, Clive along with some other slipped out of prison and they moved to Fort St. David (the British post at Cuddalore). Further forces of British arrived and saved Cuddalore from French.

The negotiations about the fate of Madras started but these negotiations took. In 

1748, the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle ended the war in Europe and this also restored the peace between France and England.  With this treaty, Madras was restored to the English for some territories (Louisburg) in North America.

Implications of First Carnatic War

In this war, the defeat of forces of Nawab of Arcot gave confidence to French about their military supremacy because only 500 French soldiers were able to repel a 10,000 strong army of Nawab. This was used by Dupleix to extend French influence.

Second Carnatic War (1749-54)

After the First Carnatic War ended, a proxy war between British and French continued in India. A victory over Indian Nawab in first war boosted the confidence of Dupleix, who now thought to expand influence in South India. In 1748 he saw an opportunity when Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah I died and a war for succession broke out. There was a trouble in Arcot also. Dupleix pledged French support for Nizam’s grandson Muzaffar Zang for Hyderabad and Chanda Sahib for Arcot.  Thus, a tripartite understanding between French, Muzaffar Zang and Chanda Sahib developed. On the other hand, British pledged support to Nasir Zang for Hyderabad and Muhammad Ali for Arcot.

Initially, a group led by French killed Nawab Anwaruddin of Arcot and his son Mohammad Ali fled to Trichinopoly. The French led army attacked Nasir Zang also and killed him. Thus, it appeared that both British protégés were defeated and Dupleix dream was about to come true.

However, soon, French protégé Muzaffar Zang was killed. French quickly put his nominee Salabat Zang on throne and maintained French Influence on Hyderabad for several years. For military support, the Nizam of Hyderabad gave them four rich districts of the Coromandel Coast known as the Northern Sircar.

The British had realized that there was a serious threat to their existence. However, only hope was that their protégé Mohammad Ali still had a hold over Trichinopoly.

At this juncture, Robert Clive, who was a Clerk at that time in the Company suggest to attack on Arcot. This plan was approved, Arcot was occupied Chanda Sahib was captured and executed. Mohammad Ali was made Nawab of Arcot / Carnatic. With this, Dupleix’s hopes dashed to the ground.

This Siege of Arcot (1751) was a heroic feat, more important than the Battle of Plassey. The Siege of Arcot had made Clive a national hero in England. The Prime Minister Pitt, the elder described him as the “heaven-born general.

Implications of Second Carnatic War

In this war, both France and England were at peace in Europe. Thus, this was an unofficial war between the two companies. After the war, both the countries denounced the policies of their companies in India. Dupleix was recalled to France and was replaced by Godehu. Godehu, signed a treaty of Pondicherry in 1755 and by this both countries agreed to not to interfere in quarrels of Indian princes.

This treaty gave British a stronghold in Carnatic. The French were able to keep stronghold in Hyderabad for some time but their prestige had gone down heavily.

Third Carnatic War 1757-63

The conflict between the France and England got renewed in 1756 in Europe, in the form of Seven Years War, which is coterminous with the Third Carnatic War. The Third Carnatic war was a local version of the Seven Years war in Europe. The Third Carnatic War put an end to the French ambitions to create a colonial empire in India.  The British Forces were able to capture the French Settlements at Chandranagar in 1757. The French forces in south were led by Comte De Lally. The British forces under Sir Eyre Coote, defeated the French in the Battle of Wandiwash in 1760 and besieged Pondicherry.

After Wandiwash, the French capital of Pondicherry fell to the British in 1761. When the Seven Years war ended with the war concluded with the signing of the 

1763 Treaty of Paris.

As per parts of this treaty, the Chandranagar and Pondicherry was returned to France. The French were now allowed to have trading posts in India but forbade French traders from administering them. The Government of France also agreed to support British client governments.  This was the last nail in the coffin of the French ambitions of an Indian Empire. British were now the dominant power in India.

Reasons for French failure

ü  Superior naval strength of the British. They could bring in soldiers from Europe and also provide supplies from Bengal. The French did not have any such avenue to replenish resources.

ü  Britain had Madras, Bombay and Calcutta – three important posts. In contrast, the French had only one strong post, Pondicherry. This meant that if Pondicherry was captured, the French had little hope of recovery. But Britain could rely on any of the other two bases if one was captured.

ü  The victory at the Battle of Plassey opened up the British to a rich area, namely Bengal.

ü  The British had many capable and able soldiers like Robert Clive, Stringer Lawrence and Sir Eyre Coote.