First War of Carnatic (1744 AD to 1748 AD)

Background

Europeans gave the name Carnatic to the Coromandel coast and interior. The First Carnatic War was a continuation of the European Anglo-French War, which was ignited by the Austrian War of Succession in 1740, and saw British and French companies battling on the battlefield in India.

The Course of the War

To antagonize France, the English navy under Barnet captured some French ships.  French retaliated with the support of the Navy and captured Madras in 1746 AD. This was the beginning of the First Carnatic War. The Britishers also took help from Anwaruddin, the Nawab of  Karnataka. He dispatched an army to seize Madras, but his forces were destroyed by the French Governor Dupleix. In the desire for power and the idea of expansionism Dupleix also had a failed attack on the British fort of St. David 20 kilometres away from Madras. Following that, in 1748 AD, the British attempt to invade Pondicherry was also unsuccessful.

Result

The Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle brought a stop to the Austrian War of Succession and ended the First Carnatic War in 1748. The French received their colonies in North America while Madras was given back to the English.

Significance

• Both the British and the French gained significant geographical knowledge of the Coromandel coast, which were useful in subsequent wars.
• This fight demonstrated that a tiny well-trained army can also overcome large armies.
• The war showed the value of naval and maritime strength. Both powers started to focus on establishing military strength for their protection.
• Both the French and the British recognized the political weakness in India. As a result, the desire to build their state by intervening in Indian politics grew stronger.

The Carnatic Wars were a series of military conflicts fought in the Carnatic region of India in the 18th century. The wars were fought between the British East India Company and the French East India Company, with both sides supported by various Indian rulers. The wars were fought for control of the Carnatic region, which was a valuable trading region. The British won all three wars, and as a result, they became the dominant European power in India. The Carnatic Wars were a significant event in Indian history. The wars led to the establishment of British dominance in India, which eventually led to the establishment of the British Raj.