Summary

Modern Indian History Class 11

Last class revision (5:02 PM)

1st Carnatic war:
It was part of and the result of the Austrian war of succession.
War was won by Dupleix, however, in North America British were victorious, and for France, its American possession was more important.
Therefore under the treaty of Aix-la-Chaple 1748, France regained its possession in North America while the British returned Madras.

2nd Carnatic War (1749-54) (5:15 PM)

Dupleix got an opportunity in the form of succession disputes in Hyderabad and Carnatic.
In Hyderabad Nasir Jung Vs Muzaffar Jung and Carnatic Muhammad Ali Vs Chanda Shaheb.
Dupleix supported Chanda Shaheb and Muzaffar Jung as he wanted economic and political benefits after putting his choice of candidate in power.
Therefore anxious British EIC supported Muhammad Ali and Nasir Jung.
Dupleix and Bassy won the 1st phase by 1751.
While Robert Clive of British EIC won the second phase by 1754.
After 1st phase, Muzaffar Jung was declared Nizam of Hyderabad and Chanda Shaheb of Arcot/Carnatic.
Muzaffar Jung was killed on his way from Carnatic to Hyderabad by Nawab of Kurnool as he had supported Muzaffar Jung but now feared a breach of the promise of territory made by Muzaffar Jung.
Now Bussy continued to march to Hyderabad and inflicted colossal terror.
He put Salabat Jung in power in Hyderabad and placed a french military for the protection of Nizam, this military was to be paid for by Hyderabad.
Therefore French EIC got Northern Circars from Hyderabad.
Other french gains after 1st phase:
Bussy was stationed as a french agent in the Hyderabad court, establishing french political influence in Hyderabad, personal Jagirs for Bassy, and 200,000 pounds for French EIC.
In Carnatic huge peronsal Jagirs for Dupleix.
Dupleix was declared as Nawab of all lands between River Krishna and Cape Comorin with Chanda Shaheb as Nawab of Arcot.
After 2nd phase victory by British Dupleix was recalled by France in 1754 due to high war expenditure.
Also, France wanted to Treaty wanted to honour the treaty of Aix-la-Chaple 1748 to secure its assets in America.
Chanda Shaheb surrendered but was still beheaded despite the promise of life by Robert Clive.
France was allowed to retain territory around Pondicherry, its factors in Carnatic, Northern Circars, and French agent at Hyderabad court.
Muhammad Ali became the nawab of Carnatic.
Therefore French influence in Hyderabad and British influence in Carnatic was the net result of the 2nd Carnatic war.

3rd Carnatic War, 1756-63 (6:22 PM)

Result and part of a 7-year global war(1756-63) fought between Britain, France, and their respective allies.
It was fought in Europe, Africa, the Americas, and India.
Count-De-Lally arrived from France to lead the french military along with Bussy who was in charge of Northern Circars.
While Robert Clive played an essential role from the British side.
The royal military of Britain and France arrived in India.
Why did France lose?
Tactical mistake- Bussy left Northern Circars unguarded to help Lally in Carnatic leading to the loss of Northern Circars to the British.
Poor leadership of Lally- he was hated among french officials and sepoys due to his rude conduct, which hurt the army's morale.
The superior British navy,
The superior financial strength of Britain and British EIC while France faced financial difficulty
For example, french Soldiers were unpaid for months which hurt morale.
Britain had witnessed growth earlier than France during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, with more significant trade profit as trading with more regions and longer time, whereas Feudalism ended in France very late.
The result of the War was:
The question of dominance over international trade in India was decided in the British favour.
Most decided was the battle of Wandiwash and the French lost all over including Pondicherry.
French lost all gains made since 1749 under Dupleix.
Therefore French were restricted to their bases.
They were barred from fortifying their bases and from keeping a strong military.
In 1769 French EIC was ended by France.
French continued in Chandanagar and Ponidicherry.
The high number of British royal military troops arrived in India in favour of EIC, giving EIC the military advantage over Indian states.
For example, they felt confident enough to start the Battle of Plassey, in 1757.
Long-term effects of Carnatic wars:
Post-1757 EIC began maintaining a large army with the help of the loot of Bengal.
Now EIC began increasing its political influence and started empire-building in 1757.
In 1766 Hyderabad gave Northern Circars to EIC in return for Military protection against Mysore and Marathas.
In 1798 Hyderabad became the first state to sign a Subsidiary alliance that brought military and foreign policy under EIC.
The huge territory of Mysore was annexed by 1799 via the 3rd and 4th Anglo-Mysore war and Subsidiary alliance signed by Mysore in 1799.
After the death of an ally, Mohammad Ali Carnatic was annexed in 1801.
In 1805 Subsidiary alliance was signed with Travancore.
Peshwa signed a Subsidiary alliance in 1803 to regain Perswaship with British help.
In the 2nd Anglo-Martha war Marthas lost significant territory and Scindia of Gwalior signed a Subsidiary alliance.
Therefore EIC began political influence in south India with the Carnatic war and dominated south India politically by the early 19th century.

Bengal and EIC/ Battle of Plassey, 1757 (7:45 PM)

The origin of the conflict was Farruksiyar's Royal Farman of 1717.
It gave EIC the right to duty-free trade in Bengal, Gujarat, and Deccan and the right to use the Royal mint.
It gave renting of 38 villages around Calcutta.
Murshid Quli Khan allowed duty-free trade to EIC but did not allow misuse of Dastaks for private trade by EIC officials.
He also did not allow the use of the Royal mint and allowed renting of villages but not their purchase by EIC
therefore Royal Farman became the origin of the conflict however misuse of Dastaks began and continued.
Dastaks was a document issued by EIC officials that certified a set of goods are EIC goods and therefore entitled to duty-free trade.
Therefore Dastaks operationalized the duty-free trade privilege given by the royal Farman and misuse of Dastaks implied duty evasion by EIC officials as they wrongly claimed their private trade as EIC trade.

The topic of the next class: Short-term reasons for the battle of Plassey.