Question

Name the French governor during the First Carnatic War.
a. Bussy
b. Count-de-Lally
c. Robert Clive
d. Dupleix

Answer 1

Hint:
- France and Britain were on the opposing side of the War of Austrian Succession camp, which broke out in Europe in 1740.
- This Anglo-French competition caused their Indian trade firms to fight for dominance with each other.
- The war concluded in 1748 with the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, also known as the Treaty of Aachen.

Complete step by step solution:
Fought Between: French & English Forces.
People Involved: Joseph Francois Dupleix (French Governor General), Major Stringer Lawrence ( British), Anwaruddin Khan (Nawab of the Carnatic).
When: 1746 – 1748
Where: Carnatic Region, Southern India
Result: Inconclusive

Course of War:
France and Britain were on the opposing side of the War of Austrian Succession camp, which broke out in Europe in 1740.
This Anglo-French competition caused their Indian trade firms to fight for dominance with each other.
The French governor of Pondicherry Dupleix had raised an army of sepoys in India under French officers.
The French East India Company was nationalised in 1720 and France had colonial ambitions for India.
In 1745, there was a naval assault by Britain on the French fleet, in which even Pondicherry was in threat.
Dupleix, along with other French troops from Mauritius, fought against this assault and captured Madras, who had been dominated by the English.
The English carried out another assault on Pondicherry, but still suffered a significant defeat.
The English asked the Nawab of Carnatic (Arcot) Anwaruddin Khan for support.
The Nawab begged the French to give Madras back to the British.
Dupleix attempted unsuccessfully to persuade the Nawab that Madras would be handed over to him at a later stage.
Then the Nawab sent a large army to battle the French armies.
This revealed the vulnerability of the Indian rulers' armies vis-à-vis the efficiently equipped armies of the European powers.
The war concluded in 1748 with the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, also known as the Treaty of Aachen.


Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Note:
Effects:
Madras was passed over to the English in exchange for Louisburg to France in North America.
Dupleix recognised the superiority of the European armies that used this advantage to control Indian princes and establish French hegemony in South India.