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Carnatic Wars: First, Second & Third Carnatic Wars | UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 14, 2025
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The Carnatic Wars were a series of military disputes that flashed between the French and the British East India Company in the 18th century, which were basically held in the Carnatic region of southern India, parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These disputes were part of the global contingency for colonial supremacy and control of trade between the two major European powers. The Carnatic Wars were quite important because they finally decided the colonial future of India, which was to take the shape of the eventual establishment of British supremacy.

The topic is relevant to the History subject and comes under General Studies Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Understanding the Carnatic Wars provides insight into the early phase of British colonial conquest and the decline of French influence in the Indian subcontinent, which is an important component in the study of modern Indian history.

GS Paper

General Studies Paper I

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Carnatic Wars, Battle of Wandiwash, Anglo-French rivalry, Robert Clive, Eyre Coote, Joseph François Dupleix, Comte de Lally

Topics for UPSC Mains

Colonial ambitions and conflicts in India, Significance of the Carnatic Wars, Impact on French and British colonial strategies, Historical analysis of key battles in the Carnatic Wars, Political and economic consequences of British victories in India, Alliances between European powers and Indian rulers

About Carnatic Wars

The Carnatic Wars represent a critical period in Indian history within which the British and French East India Companies fought for territorial control and commercial dominance. These wars are inclusive of the larger global conflicts spanning from 1746 to 1763, thus embracing the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. The Carnatic region was a significant trade zone and, hence, had every potential to become the battle domain for the two European powers. This series of three wars was made up of nearly countless battles, sieges, and negotiations that had a great impact on the political and economic conditions in South India.

Background of the Carnatic Wars

The background of the Carnatic Wars can be seen in the competition among European trading companies, extending their rivalry to Asian territories. The powerful East India Companies, the British and the French, attempted their expansion by entering into alliances with local Indian rulers, undermining each other. The first half of the 18th century saw the beginning of political ferment and fluid alignments among the Nawabs of the Carnatic and the Nizams of Hyderabad, which furnished a volatile ground for the ambitions of such European powers.

Read the article on the Battle of Chanderi!

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First Carnatic War (1746-1748)

The First Carnatic War, which was, in fact, part of the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe, resulted in open hostilities between the British and French in India. The first encounter was when the French, under the command of Admiral La Bourdonnais, captured Madras (now Chennai) in 1746. The British responded to this attack under the command of Major Stringer Lawrence, where heavy losses were suffered. The most significant battle of this war was the Battle of St. Thome near Madras in 1746. The war was brought to its official close by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, which gave Madras back to the British and returned the pre-war status quo ante without sorting out the real cause of the rivalry.

Second Carnatic War (1749-1754)

The Second Carnatic War broke out as part of the power struggle for succession in both the Carnatic region and Hyderabad. The French supported Chanda Sahib, while the British supported Muhammad Ali Wallajah for the Nawabship of Carnatic. Some of the most note-worthy actions during this war were the Battle of Ambur in 1749 and the Battle of Arcot in 1751, where the young Robert Clive used his tactics to win the day for the British. This war brought out several factors in fortification and modern methods of warfare. The war ended with the Treaty of Pondicherry in 1754, which again did little to dampen the rivalry but fixed a more solid British position in South India.

Third Carnatic War (1757-1763)

The Third Carnatic War fell between the period of the world-wide Seven Years' War and marked the last decisive war of the British against the French in India. Large-scale battles were therefore frequent between the British under the leadership of Sir Eyre Coote and the French under Comte de Lally. The war culminated into the conclusive Battle of Wandiwash in 1760. The victory of Coote at Wandiwash was crucial because it ensured that the British would capture Pondicherry in 1761. The war finally ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which successfully put an end to the political ambitions of the French in India and sealed the supremacy of the British.

Read the article on the difference between war and battle!

Impact of the Carnatic Wars

The Carnatic Wars had massive repercussions that were long-lasting in nature for the Indian subcontinent:

  • Loss of French Political Influence: This put an end to the political and military ambitions of the French in India. While the French retained certain trading posts, they were henceforth not capable of challenging British supremacy.
  • Consolidation of British Dominance: These wars formed the nucleus of the British Empire in the Indian territories. The British East India Company became the major European power in India.
  • Foundation for British Colonial Empire: Actual control over key territories and trade routes allowed the British to expand their economic and political influence into the establishment of the British Raj.
  • Military and Administrative Innovations: The wars imposed changes in military strategies, administrative techniques, and tactics of alliances, which later saw more sophisticated political and military governance in this region.

Read the article on the First Anglo Sikh War!

Major Treaties Associated with the Carnatic Wars

The resolution of the Carnatic Wars came with a number of important treaties, which include but are not limited to the following.

  • Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748: The First Carnatic War was closed by this treaty, restoring Madras to the British and returning other territories to their pre-war status.
  • Treaty of Pondicherry, 1754: The Second Carnatic War ended with this confirming the status quo yet again, consolidating the strategic grip of the British in those territories.
  • Treaty of Paris (1763): This treaty concluded the Third Carnatic War, called off the Seven Year Wars, and finally it marked the end of French political influence in India and recognized British territorial gains.

Read the article on the Yom Kippur War 1973!

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

  • Colonial Rivalry: The series of conflicts between the British and the French East India Companies are termed the Carnatic Wars since their mutual and unending rivalry found its base in the competition for trade supremacy and territorial control in south India.
  • Impact on Indian History: These wars had far-reaching and serious consequences for the political and economic setting of India, marking the fall of the French power in India and the rise of British supremacy.
  • Key Battles and Leaders: The Battle of St. Thome, the Battle of Arcot, and the Battle of Wandiwash were turning points. Among the key figures were Robert Clive, Sir Eyre Coote, Joseph François Dupleix, and Comte de Lally.
  • Treaties: Three major treaties-Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748; Pondicherry, 1754; and Paris, 1763-ended the three Carnatic Wars, affecting territorial control and colonial strategies.
  • Military Innovations: The wars provided a fillip in the development of military tactics and strategies of fortification that were later employed by the British in expanding their control over India.
  • Emergence of British Consolidation: British East India Company gained the first lead among Europeans in India, which set the momentum for the British Raj in place.
  • Setting the Scene for Future Conflicts: The results of the Carnatic Wars influenced subsequent Anglo-Mysore and Anglo-Maratha conflicts underlining the lasting impact of these early colonial battles on broader Indian geopolitics.

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Carnatic Wars UPSC FAQs

The First Carnatic War occurred between the British East India Company and the French East India Company.

The Second Carnatic War took place between British-supported nawab Muhammad Ali Wallajah against French-backed Chanda Sahib along with their respective allies British and French.

The Third Carnatic War was mainly fought between British East India Company supported by Sir Eyre Coote against the French East India Company led by Comte de Lally.

The First Carnatic War came to an end without any apparent winner, yet the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle returned the captured territories to their previous state.

The First Carnatic War ended with a treaty named as the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which was signed in 1748.

The Second Carnatic War ended with a treaty known as the Treaty of Pondicherry, which was signed in 1754.

The Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts for British and French East India Companies trading privileges and territory in the Carnatic region of southern India in the 18th century.
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