Background of the First Carnatic War

In 1740, Austrian War of Succession broke out in Europe in

which the English and the French were on the opposite sides.

The French and English in India ignored the earlier Anglo-

French rivalry that was happening in Europe.

However with the outbreak of Austrian war of Succession in

Europe, the French and English in South India triggered the
combat in India.

The French and the English were represented by their

respective East India Companies.
Political situation in South India:

In the Western region of Deccan, Nizam Asaf Jah of

Hyderabad was completely engaged in battles with
Marathas.

There was no strong ruler to balance the power in

the Coromandel Coast (Southeastern Coastal region
of Indian subcontinent).

With the decline of the empire in Hyderabad, the

English began to look for opportunities in order to
establish their power.
Course of the First Carnatic War

The English navy under Barnet captured some of the French

ships in India.

This Outraged the French and the then Governor-General of

Pondicherry, Joseph Francis Dupleix sought help from the
French Governor of Mauritius, La Bourdonnais.
Admiral La Bourdonnais along with his fleet defeated the
English army on their way to Coromandel Coast and seized
Madras in 1746.

The English bribed Admiral La Bourdonnais and retrieved

Madras. However, Dupleix disowned this and captured back
the Madras.
Battle of St.Thome:

The Battle of St.Thome was fought between the French and

the Nawab of Carnatic, Anwar-ud-Din.
The English appealed to Anwar-ud-Din for help during the war.
However, Dupleix pacified him by promising to surrender
Madras to him after its capture.
In 1746, when the Madras was captured, a tussle broke out
between Dupleix and La Bourdonnais. Dupleix wanted to
surrender Madras to the Nawab whereas La Bourdonnais
wanted to restore it to English in return for ransom .
Finally a force was sent by the Nawab to claim Madras. Thus
began the Battle of St.Thome in which the huge Indian army
under Mahfuz Khan was defeated by a small French army
under Captain Paradise.
Result of the First Carnatic War

In 1748, the hostilities in Europe were terminated and thus

concluded the war.

Both the Austrian War of Succession and the First Carnatic

war came to an end with the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle which
was signed in October 1748.
Terms of the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle:

Madras was restored to the English East India Company

The French got back their territories in North America
The First Carnatic war triggered the political ambitions of the
French Governor, Dupleix. He sought to increase the French
power in the southern region and it eventually led to the