Mains Marathon

Approach

• Introduce the Anglo-French struggle in India and abroad.
• Discuss how the international colonial aspiration of big powers led to Anglo-French struggle in India and that struggle mainly decided on Indian soil.
• Conclude suitably.

Answer

The Anglo-French rivalry in India was fueled by the rivalry of both in Europe for dominance and colonial aspiration in Northern America.

The Anglo-French struggle for supremacy in India:

Peter The Great of Russia once said that “Bear in mind that the commerce of India is the commerce of the world and… he who can exclusively command it is the dictator of Europe.”

It shows the strategic and economic importance of India for the colonial powers to command the Dominance not only in the neighbourhood of India but also fuel the colonial wars in Europe and North America.

Both French and English had fought several wars in India for supremacy and these wars corresponded to global colonial events. Like:

First Carnatic war (1740-48)

War in Europe: It was an extension of the Anglo-French war in Europe which was caused by the Austrian war of succession 1740-48.

The First Carnatic War ended in 1748 when the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle was signed, bringing the Austrian War of Succession to a conclusion. Under the terms of this treaty French got their territories in North America.

This war adequately brought out the importance of naval force in the Anglo-French conflict.

Second Carnatic War (1749–54)

War was fueled with regional interest and participation of Europeans in local politics but ended when the Anglo-French war broke out in North America in 1754 between English and French, and virtual defeat of the French against the British.

The fear of serious repercussions in America prompted the French to suspend hostilities in India.

It became evident that the countenance of Indian authority was no longer necessary for European success; rather Indian authority itself was becoming dependent on European support.

Third Carnatic War (1758–63)

In Europe, when Austria wanted to recover Silesia in 1756, the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) started. Britain and France were once again on opposite sides.

Battle of Wandiwash The decisive battle of the Third Carnatic War was won by the English on January 22, 1760 at Wandiwash in Tamil Nadu.

The significance of the Third Carnatic War was the Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763). It leads to:

• restored to the French their factories in India,
• Ending the Anglo-French war in North America
• End of the Seven Years' War between Great Britain and France in Europe.

The French political influence disappeared after the war. Thereafter, the French confined themselves to their small enclaves and to commerce.

The turning point for control of the subcontinent was the victory of British forces over the French forces at Wandiwash in 1760. The victory at Wandiwash left the English East India Company with no European rival in India. Thus, they were ready to take over the rule of the entire country.

These three wars between the English and French were not only aimed to their victory in India but also makes them a big colonial power due to victor’s dominance at various place like:

• Britain's victory in Southern India led Britain to concentrate on Northern India and in neighbouring and adjoining territory like Afghanistan, Punjab, Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, Burma, China, and Iran.
• The dominant position of Britain in Southern India facilitated its dominance in south-east Asia and the land of Indo-China including Singapore and Indonesia.
• Britain, from the source of India, also managed to dominate the western Indian Ocean and as a colonial power in Africa.
• Although the union of French and Americans ended Britain as a colonial power in USA but Britain remained as a colonial power in the west Indies, Caribbean Islands and Canada by exploiting the Slave trade from the India.
• It shows that the Victory of the British in India facilitated its dominance at the global stage.

The colonial empire of the British (or of French, in case French was victorious in Anglo-French Struggle) was built by the suppression and exploitation of Indians either in Slave trade, Exploitation in Industries and casualties in wars ranging from colonial wars to the world wars.