IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From Mid 18th to Mid 19th Century - Conflict and Expansion : South India

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From Mid 18th to Mid 19th Century

Conflict and Expansion : South India

Structure

9.0 Objectives
9.1 lntroduction
9.2 The English and the French in IndiaTheir strengths and Weaknesses
9.3 The First Carnatic War (1740-48)
9.3.1 The role of the Nawab of Carnatic
9.3.2 Defiance of Dupleix by the French Admiral
9.3.3 Superiority of French in First Carnatic War
.9.4 The Second Carnatic War (1751-55)
9.4.1 Success on Rivalry in Carnatic and Hydaabad
9.4.2 Oupleix's Intervention
9.4.3 Entry of the British
9.4.4 Recall of Dupleix
9.4.5 French Influence Restricted to Hyderabad
9.5 The Third Carnatic War (1758-63)
9.5.1 French Offensives in Carnatic '

9.5.2 Problems of the French Army
9.5.3 The Naval Debacle
9.5.4 Battle of Wandlwash
9.6 Causes bf French Failure
9.7 The,kfkrmath
9.8 .Let 11s Sum Up
9.9 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

9.0 OBJECTIVES

After reading this Unit, you will learn the following points:

the two major foreign trading companies that existed in South lndia in the 18th century i.e. the Engllsh and the .French; their relative strengths, and weaknesses,
the extent to whicli Indian powers were able to withstand foreign interference in their affairs as well as aggression against them,
the nature of the conflict between the English and French companies as it unfolded from 1740 onward, and
the economic, political and military factors which were to determine tlie outcome of this conflict. -.

9.1 INTRODUCTION

This Block focuses q the process ol' British consolidation. through conquests and
'dliminalion of rivals In various parts of the sub-continent. In this [!nit you would be
reading about Soutn India. The xpansion of the British in South lndia was
basically the outcome of the hosri 5 ides between the English and thc French F~st
indla Companies. South India was the main arena for French activities. Not only 1 . was Pondichcrry their capital, but in the ne~gbbzluring princely states like
Myderabad and Mysore, they wielded great influente. In order to make rnaxiinum
profits it was necessary for a trading company to eliminate all co~npetirion and
establish its monopoly. Hence it had become very essential for the British to 1
eliminate the hold of the French from this region. By 1761 @srask had been
achieved and the following narrative will outline the stages of this process.