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History of the French in India: Colonial Past, Rivalries & Cultural Legacy

History of the French in India #

History of the French in India: Traders to Colonizers, A Historical Journey #

The History of the French in India can be traced back to the early 17th century when French traders initiated the establishment of trading outposts along the Malabar Coast. With the passage of time, French influence in India expanded, ultimately leading to the formation of French territories and colonies in the region.

History of the French in India: Exploring the French Legacy as Last Traders in India     #

  • Last Europeans: The French were the last Europeans to reach India as traders. 
  • Sequence of arrival: The first to reach India were the Portuguese followed by the British, the Dutch, the Danes and the French.
  • Foundation: The foundation of Compagnie des Indes Orientales (The French East India Company) in 1664 was laid down by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a minister in the court of Louis XIV. 
  • Joint Venture Company: The French East India Company was a joint stock company, founded to compete with the English and the Dutch Company with respect to trade with the East.
    • The Company was granted a 50-year monopoly on French trade in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 
    • The French king also granted the company a concession in perpetuity for the island of Madagascar, as well as any other territories it could conquer.
Also Read: The Advent of Europeans in India: Reasons, Contributions, Impact and Rivalries.

History of the French in India: Factories, Power Centers, & Colonial Moves #

  • First Factory: The first French factory at Surat was established by Francois Caron in 1668.
  • Second Factory: The second French factory in India was set up by a Persian explorer named Mercara at Masulipatnam in 1669.
  • Factory in Bengal: The first factory in Bengal was established at Chandernagore in 1673 when the Mughal Subedar of Bengal granted permission to the French.
  • Pondicherry became the main center of French power
  • The French established control over Mahe (Malabar coast) in 1725 and Karaikal in 1738.

The French governor Joseph Francois Dupleix captured Madras in 1746, which was restored to the English in 1748.History Of The French in India: Founding Factories, Coastal Dominance, and Colonial Aspirations

Pondicherry – Main center of French Power:

  • In 1673, Sher khan Lodi, governor of Bijapur Sultan at Valikandapuram, granted French Governor Francois Martin to establish a factory at Pondicherry.
  • Early setbacks: The Dutch (in alliance with the British) captured Pondicherry from the French in 1693
    • But the Treaty of Ryswick restored Pondicherry to the French.

Also Read: Portuguese, The First European in India

History of the French in India: Dominance Struggles with Dutch & British #

  • The most prominent conflict in India was the ongoing struggle for dominance between the French and Dutch and French and British. 

History of the French in India: Dutch Conflict, Treaty Struggles, & Revival #

  • The Dutch-French conflict had a significant negative impact on the presence in the history of the French in India, challenging their foothold and influence.
  • Dutch Capture of Pondicherry: In 1693, the Dutch, aided by their affiliation with the English following the Revolution of 1688, took control of Pondicherry, a major settlement in history of  the French in India.
  • Return of Pondicherry: Although Pondicherry was returned to the French by the Treaty of Ryswick in September 1697, the Dutch garrison held onto it for an additional two years, prolonging the challenges faced by the French.
  • War of Spanish Succession: The outbreak of the War of Spanish Succession in Europe further worsened the French company’s fortunes in India, creating additional difficulties and setbacks.
  • Closure of Factories: As a result of the unfavorable circumstances, the French East India Company was compelled to close their factories at Surat, Masulipatnam, and Bantam in the early 18th century.
  • Reorganization of the French Company: In 1720, the French company was reorganized as the ‘Perpetual Company of the Indies’ which revived its strength.
  • Further, history of the French in India was backed by the French possession of Mauritius and Reunion in the southern Indian Ocean.
Also Read: Religious Policies of the Portuguese in India: The Dark Legacy of Conversion and Control

History of the French in India: Anglo-French Rivalry & Carnatic Wars Impact #

  • The Anglo-French rivalry in India was characterized by fierce competition and conflicts between the two colonial powers.
  • Customary Competition: The rivalry between England and France in India, reflecting their long-standing historical competition, commenced during the Austrian War of Succession and reached its peak during the Seven Years’ War. 
  • Carnatic Wars: This competition in India played out through a series of three Carnatic wars, ultimately establishing English dominance over the French as the rulers of India.
Wars Description
First Carnatic War(1746-48):
  • War of Succession: The clash between Britain and the French in India was a result of the War of Austrian Succession (1746).
  • Immediate cause:The immediate cause of the war was the seizure of some French ships by the English navy to provoke France.
  • Battle of St. Thome: The French acquired Fort St. George at Madras by defeating the Nawab of Arcot (an ally of the British) in the Battle of Adyar or Battle of St. Thome in 1746.
  • Treaty: The First Carnatic War ended after signing the Treaty of Aix-la Chapelle in 1748.
Second Carnatic war(1749-54):
  • Rivalry in India: The second Carnatic war was a result of the ambition of Dupleix, the French governor, to defeat the English by interfering in the local dynastic disputes of the region.
  • Occupied Arcot: Robert Clive attacked and occupied Arcot (Capital of Carnatic) in 1751 after defeating the combined forces of the French and Chanda Sahib.
  • Treaty: The war resulted in the signing of Treaty of Pondicherry (1754) between the French and the English. 
Third Carnatic war(1758-63):
  • This war was the Indian theater of the Seven Years War in Europe.
  • Battle of Wandiwash: At the Battle of Wandiwash in 1760, the English forces under leadership of Sir Eyre Coote and the French under governor Count de Lally fought which resulted in defeat of the French.
    • Following this, the English acquired Pondicherry, the French capital. 
  • Treaty: This battle resulted in the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris in 1763

History of the French in India: Cultural Legacy, Commerce, & Rivalry Impact #

  • Cultural Influence: The French brought their language, architecture, and customs, leaving a lasting cultural influence in regions like Pondicherry.
  • Trade and Commerce: French trading posts and factories boosted maritime trade and influenced the local economies.
  • Urban Development: French settlements witnessed urban development, including the construction of forts and public buildings.
    • Eg: French Quarters in Pondicherry
  • Political and Military Rivalry: The Anglo-French rivalry shaped the political dynamics of colonial India.
  • Maritime Warfare: French naval capabilities contributed to maritime conflicts in the region.
  • The decline of French Influence: Military defeats and territorial losses led to the decline of the power of  the French  in India.
  • Cultural and Intellectual Exchange: French presence facilitated cultural and intellectual exchange between Indian and French societies.
Also Read: Alfonso de Albuquerque: The Architect of Portuguese Power in Asia

Conclusion: #

  • The French East India Company played a significant role in India’s colonial history, establishing settlements and factories along the coast and expanding its influence. 
    • However, their rivalry with the Dutch and later with the British, coupled with military defeats and political setbacks, led to the decline of French power in India. 

Previous Year Questions: #

Q. Who among the following was the first European to initiate the policy of taking part in the quarrels of Indian princes with a view to acquire territories?  [1996]

  1. Clive
  2. Dupleix
  3. Albuquerque
  4. Warren Hastings

Answer (b)

 Q. In India, among the following locations, the French established their earliest factory at: [2003]

  1. Surat
  2. Pulicat
  3. Cochin
  4. Qasim Bazar

Answer (a)

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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