The correct answer is option 'D' - The Dutch.

The Battle of Bedara in 1759 was fought between the English and the Dutch. It marked an important turning point in the history of European powers in India, as it signaled the end of Dutch influence in the region.

The Dutch East India Company, also known as the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), had established a significant presence in India during the 17th and 18th centuries. They had trading posts and colonies along the Indian coast, particularly in the Coromandel region.

During this time, various European powers were vying for control and influence in India, primarily for trade and economic purposes. The English East India Company and the VOC were two prominent players in this competition.

The Battle of Bedara took place in the context of the wider conflict between the English and the Dutch for dominance in the Indian Ocean. The English East India Company had been steadily expanding its presence and influence in India, challenging the Dutch and other European powers.

The battle was fought near the village of Bedara in the Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu) in southern India. The English East India Company, led by Colonel Joseph Smith, launched an attack on the Dutch garrison at Bedara. The Dutch forces, under the command of Captain Maximilian de Horaay, were ultimately defeated.

The English victory in the Battle of Bedara was a significant blow to Dutch power in India. It weakened their position and marked the beginning of their decline in the region. Over the next few decades, the Dutch would continue to face setbacks and eventually lose most of their Indian possessions to the English.

This battle highlighted the intense competition between European powers for control of trade routes and resources in India. It also marked a shift in the balance of power, with the English East India Company emerging as the dominant force in the region, ultimately leading to British colonial rule in India.