Consider the following statements about Carnatic wars: The first an...
- In the 18th century, three Carnatic Wars were fought between various Indian rulers and British and French East India Company on either side. These wars resulted in the establishment of the political supremacy of British East India Company. The French company was reduced in the areas around Pondicherry only. The commercial and maritime rivalry between France and England was the primary reason behind these wars.
- First Carnatic War (1746-1748): English navy under Barnett captured some French ships. The French governor of Pondicherry, Dupleix attacked the English in retaliation in 1746 and this led to the beginning of first Carnatic War. Treaty of Aix-La-Chappelle brought an end to the first round of Anglo-French conflicts in India as well.
- Second Carnatic War (1749-1754): Anglo-French rivalry, continued in India although it had ended in Europe. In 1748, Nizam of Hyderabad Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah died, which resulted in a war of succession. Muzaffar Jang, who aspired to become the Nizam of Hyderabad and Chanda Sahib, a candidate for the throne of Arcot was supported by French Governor After Victory in Battle of Ambur in 1749, Muzaffar Jung became the Nizam and Chanda Sahib the Nawab of Muhammad Ali, (son of Anwar Uddin) who was supported by British escaped to Tiruchirappalli. In 1751 the British commander Robert Clive captured Arcot, i.e. the capital of the Carnatic. Chanda Sahib was treacherously murdered by the Raja of Tanjore. Later, Duplex was recalled. The war concluded by the Treaty of Pondicherry in 1755. According to this treaty each party was left in possession of the territories that it occupied at the time of the treaty. Hence, unlike other 2 wars, it was not influenced by outside factors.
- Third Carnatic War (1758-1763): The outbreak of the Seven Years War (1756-1763) in Europe was the cause of the Third Carnatic War (1758-1763). The British General Sir Eyre Coote defeated, Count de Fally (the commander of the French troops) at Wandiwash in 1760. Battle of Wandiwash ended almost a century of conflict over supremacy in India and availed the British East India company a far superior position in India compared to the other European traders. The Seven Years War concluded by the Treaty of Paris in 1763 and this also led to the ending of Third Carnatic War. The French got Pondicherry, Karaikkal, Mahe and Yenam but condition applied was these were to be never fortified.
- Hence, both statements are correct.
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Consider the following statements about Carnatic wars: The first an...
Explanation:
The Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts that took place in the Indian subcontinent between the British East India Company and the French East India Company, as well as their Indian allies, for control of the Carnatic region. Let's analyze each statement given in the question.
Statement 1: The first and third Carnatic wars were part of the European struggle for supremacy while the second Carnatic war was caused by local factors.
- The first Carnatic War (1746-1748) was indeed part of the larger European conflict known as the War of the Austrian Succession. The British and the French were fighting each other in Europe, and this conflict spilled over into their colonial possessions in India, including the Carnatic region.
- The second Carnatic War (1749-1754) was primarily caused by local factors. It began as a dispute between the British and the French over the succession of the Nizam of Hyderabad, a powerful ruler in South India. The British supported one claimant, while the French supported another, leading to armed conflict.
- The third Carnatic War (1757-1763) was also part of the larger European struggle for supremacy, known as the Seven Years' War. The British and the French were once again fighting each other, and their colonial possessions in India became a battleground. Therefore, this statement is correct.
Statement 2: The third Carnatic war ended with the treaty of Paris and the establishment of the British as the supreme power in India.
- The third Carnatic War did indeed end with the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The treaty marked the end of the larger Seven Years' War and resulted in territorial exchanges between the British and the French in various parts of the world. In India, the French were forced to cede several territories to the British, consolidating British control over the Carnatic region. Therefore, this statement is also correct.
Conclusion:
Both statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Carnatic Wars were indeed part of the European struggle for supremacy, with the first and third wars being directly linked to this larger conflict. The third Carnatic War did end with the Treaty of Paris, which solidified British dominance in India.
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