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Indian Freedom Struggle (1707–1947 A.D.)

Notes a small English factory some eighteen miles south of Pondicherry, did not succeed. An English
squadron under Rear Admiral Boscawen was equally unsuccessful in the siege of Pondicherry during
June-October 1748.
The First Karnatic War is memorable for the battle of St. Thome fought between the French and the
Indian forces of Anwar-ud-din, the Nawab of Karnatic (1744-49). Differences arose between the French
and the Nawab over the custody of Madras after its reduction in 1746. Anwar-ud-din, as the overlord
of the Karnatic, had ordered the European Companies to desist from commencing hostilities within
his territories and disturbing the peace of the country. Dupleix had, however, pacified him by
promising to surrender Madras to him after its capture. When Dupleix showed no signs of making
good his promise, the Nawab sent a force to enforce his demand. A small French army consisting
of 230 Europeans and 700 Indian soldiers under Capt. Paradise met a large Indian army of 10,000
under Mahfuz Khan at St. Thome on the banks of the river Adyar and defeated it. The victory of
Capt. Paradise amply demonstrated the superiority of disciplined European troops against the loose
Indian levies.
The First Karnatic War came to end with the termination of hostilities in Europe. The Treaty of
Aix-la Chapelle (1748) brought the Austrian War of Succession to a conclusion. Under the terms of
this Treaty, Madras was handed back to the English much to the disgust of Dupleix.
The first round of the struggle was a drawn one. On land the French superiority had been clearly
displayed. Dupleix had given ample proof of his extraordinary skill and diplomacy. The English had
failed to defend Madras and unsuccessfully conducted the land-cum-sea operations against
Pondicherry. Nevertheless, this war had adequately brought out the importance of naval power as
an important factor in Anglo-French conflict in the Deccan.
The Second Karnatic War (1749-54): The First Karnatic War had whetted the political ambition of
Dupleix. He had acquired a good taste for oriental warfare. He sought to increase his power and
French political influence in Southern India by interfering in local dynastic disputes and thus to
outmanoeuvre the English. Malleson rightly sums up the position thus: “With ambition aroused,
mutual jealousy excited, the temptation of increased dominion knocking at their doors, what had
they (Europeans) to do with peace”. The much sought for opportunity was provided in the disputed
succession to the thrones of Hyderabad and Karnatic. Nizam-ul-Mulk, Asaf Jah, who had converted
his viceroyalty of the Deccan into an independent kingdom of Hyderabad died on 21 May, 1748. He
was succeeded by his second son, Nasir Jang (1748-50). His claim was, however, contested by his
nephew, Muzaffar Jang, a grandson of the late Nizam. In the Karnatic, the right of Nawab Anwar-
ud-din was disputed by Chanda Sahib, son-in-law of the former Nawab Dost Ali. The two conflicts
were soon merged into one and in the following years we witness the spectacle of many political
alliances and counter-alliances being formed in quick succession.
Dupleix, who saw in this fluid political situation an opportunity to advance his political schemes,
decided to support the candidature of Muzaffar Jang for the Subahdarship of the Deccan and Chanda
Sahib for the Nawabship of Karnatic. The English inevitably found themselves ranged on the side of
Nasir Jang and Anwar-ud-din. Astounding successes attended the plans of Dupleix. The combined
armies of Muzaffar Jang, Chanda Sahib and the French defeated and killed Anwar-ud-din at the
battle of Ambur near Vellore in August 1749. Nasir Jang lost his life in the encounter of December
1750. Muzaffar Jang became the Subahdar of Deccan and amply rewarded the services of his
benefactors. Dupleix was appointed governor of all the Mughal territories south of the river Krishna.
The Nizam surrendered some districts in the Northern Circars to the French. Further, at the request
of the new Subahdar, a French army under an able officer Bussy was stationed at Hyderabad. The
stationing of this army ensured the security of the French interests there. Chanda Sahib became the
Nawab of Karnatic in 1751. Dupleix was at the height of his political power.
The anti-climax for the French was not late in coming. Mohammed Ali, the son of the late Nawab
Anwar-ud-din, took refuge in Trichinopoly. The repeated attempts of Chanda Sahib and the French
to reduce the fortress failed. The English were not inactive. The successes of Dupleix; had very much

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