Table of Contents
First Carnatic War- Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 1: Indian History- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
First Carnatic War (1746-48)- Background
- The First Carnatic war was a result of Anglo-French rivalry in Europe and ambition to achieve dominance in India.
- The Austrian War of Succession broke out in 1740 in Europe which gave rise to Anglo-French rivalry in India.
- French Domination in the 18th century led to commercial and maritime rivalry between France and England around the world including in India.
- French-British rivalry in India manifested during succession disputes among rajas, nawabs and chieftains of south India.
First Carnatic War- Key Details
- First Carnatic War Duration: Though various events culminating in the first Carnatic war started in 1740 but the actual war took place between 1746-48.
- Parties Involved: French and English, Anwar-ud-Din (Nawab of Carnatic).
- Key Causes:
- Austrian War of Succession
- To establish domination over India
Battle of Plassey 1757: Background, Causes and Impact on Indian Polity and Economy
First Carnatic War- Course of War
- Provocation: English Navy under Commodore Curtis Bennett seized some French ships near madras coast and provoked the French governor Marquis Joseph-François Dupleix.
- Role of Nawab of Carnatic: Dupleix appealed for protection from Anwar-ud-Din (Nawab of Carnatic). Nawab warned the British that his province was neutral territory.
- He also warned Britishers that no attack on French possessions would be tolerated.
- French Capture of Madras: Dupleix invited French troops from Mauritius navy and captured Madras from English. English in turn made an unsuccessful attempt to capture Pondicherry.
- Battle of St. Thome: English pleaded with the Nawab of Carnatic to liberate Madras from French control. Nawab asked French to return it to English.
- Indian French Governor Dupleix denied Nawab’s request and tried convincing the Nawab unsuccessfully that Madras would be handed over to him at a later stage.
- This led to the Battle of St. Thames on the banks of river Adiyar.
- The Battle of St. Thames was fought between a 10000 large force of Nawab, led by Mahfouz Khan (the Commander-in-Chief of Anwaruddin) and a small French army under Captain Paradise.
- A small French army defeated a large army of Nawab of Carnatic.
- Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle: It was signed in 1748, ending the first Carnatic war in India. Treaty of Aix-La Chapellebrought the Austrian War of Succession to a conclusion.
- Outcome: Madras was handed back to the English, and the French, in turn, got their territories in North America.
First Carnatic War- Significance
- Proved Superiority of Europeans: This was proved when a small French Army defeated a large army of Nawab of Carnatic.
- Importance of Navy: Superior French Navy helped in defending the French territories in India against English, manifesting the importance of the Naval power in the Anglo-French Rivalry.