The Result of the Battle of Wandiwash
India was under the colonial rule of the British East India Company and the French East India Company that created tension in few places. Due to the Austrian succession war in Europe, these two colonial nations started to face friction from each other in the Indian subcontinent. Over the years, the tension resulted in Carnatic Wars where the British and French fought against each other in the Carnatic region of South India.
The 3rd war is called the Battle of Wandiwash where the British army defended the Fort of Vandavasi, located in today’s Tamil Nadu, from the armed forces of France in 1760. In this article, we will discuss the 3rd Carnatic War and its aftermath effect on Indian history.
Battle of Wandiwash: A Brief History
The French and the British troops were already in friction since 1746 due to their oppositions against each other based on the Austrian War of Succession in the 1740s. Both these nations were operating on the southern part of the Indian map peacefully but led to tension when the British troops captured French trade ships.
This was the introduction to the Carnatic Wars. There were 3 wars fought between 1746 and 1763. The first war ended in the favor of the French Colonials. It occurred between 1476 and 1748. In accordance with the local polities of the Mughal Empire, the French occupied Madras from the clasps of the British. Robert Clive was taken prisoner but escaped and then hatched the plan to reoccupy Arcot and succeeded in the Second Carnatic War.
The 3rd Carnatic War commenced in 1756 and continued till 1763. Even if both the parties signed the Treaty of Pondicherry, the seven-year-long war in Europe sparked tension again resulting in the commencement of the 3rd Carnatic War. In this war, the British and French troops clashed in the Battle of Wandiwash in Vandavasi.
It is noteworthy to mention that the French were suffering from a financial crisis but the British colonial made a fortune by collecting revenue from Hyderabad and Bengal. The Battle of Wandiwash was fought between the British and French troops and the latter was defeated.
Course and Result of the 3rd Carnatic War
It started in the year 1756 due to the revived tension between both the nations on the European map. The French lost Chandannagar in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and suffered financially. Despite this fact, the French troops under the guidance of Count De Lally attacked the British to reacquire Madras after capturing Fort St. George.
The Wandiwash War was a deciding factor to show supremacy in the Indian subcontinent. The French army led by Count De Lally attacked the British army under the command of Sir Eyre Coote in Bandiwash. The French suffered a big defeat in 1760 in this war resulting in losing possession of different locations in South India.
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These locations were Mahe, Gingee, Pondicherry, and Karaikal. It shook the pillars of French Colonial rule. Eventually, both nations signed the Treaty of Paris in the year 1763 and mediated on common ground. The British agreed to return Chandannagar and Pondicherry to the French Colonials and signed the peace treaty.
The French accepted both the settlements with a clause that they will not deploy troops or develop any fortification in those locations. They will operate under the supervision of British Rule and can continue trading. This was the result of the Battle of Wandiwash.
Effect of the Battle of Wandiwash
The result of the Battle of Wandiwash clearly suggested that the British were going to dominate the entire country with its colonial settlements. They were already into the trading business and generating revenue from the acquired lands and ports. After the end of the 3rd Carnatic War in 1763, the fate of the French in South India and Bengal was sealed.
They had to abide by the clause mentioned in the Treaty of Paris. The hope of building a huge empire was shattered by the strength of the British Army. In fact, the win of the British on Indian soil made them the supreme European power in Asia. The British being declared as the superior power started expanding its clasp on the Indian map.
Reasons for the Failure of French Army
The Battle of Wandiwash history suggests that the French lost Chandannagar and Pondicherry which eventually sealed their fate. The British piled up revenue and gained strength to defend the French attack on Madras. It also showed that the British were better at deploying troops via the naval route and can easily replenish resources that the French cannot.
The Wandiwash War ended in the favor of the British as they had Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay under control. They have done trading aggressively and collected immense revenue. The French only had a single strong post in Pondicherry. The win in the Battle of Plassey let the British enjoy the fortune of Bengal.
After signing the Treaty of Paris, the French lost their power to establish an empire in the Indian Subcontinent. They were proved weak and subdued by the British. They also agreed to do trading in Pondicherry and Chandannagar under the strict supervision of the British.
FAQs on The Wandiwash Battle
1. Who were the main parties that fought in the Battle of Wandiwash?
The Battle of Wandiwash was fought between the forces of the British East India Company and the French East India Company. This conflict was a pivotal part of the Third Carnatic War, which mirrored the larger Seven Years' War between Britain and France in Europe.
2. When and where did the Battle of Wandiwash take place?
The battle occurred on January 22, 1760. The location of the conflict was Wandiwash, which is now known as Vandavasi, a town in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
3. Who were the key commanders for the British and French in this battle?
The British forces were successfully led by Sir Eyre Coote. The French army was commanded by Comte de Lally (Thomas Arthur, comte de Lally).
4. What was the direct result of the Battle of Wandiwash?
The British achieved a decisive victory. This win crushed the French forces and led to the British capturing key French territories in the Carnatic region, including their main stronghold, Pondicherry, shortly after the battle.
5. How did the Treaty of Paris affect the French presence in India after the battle?
The Treaty of Paris (1763) formally ended the war. While it returned Pondicherry and Chandannagar to the French, it came with a crucial condition: the French were forbidden from fortifying these settlements. This meant they could only operate as trading posts and their military ambitions in India were permanently ended.
6. Why is the Battle of Wandiwash considered a turning point in Indian history?
This battle is a major turning point because it effectively eliminated French competition for the British in India. With their main European rival gone, the British East India Company could consolidate its power and expand its influence, which ultimately paved the way for the establishment of the British Empire in India.
7. What were some key factors that contributed to the French defeat at Wandiwash?
Several factors led to the French defeat, including:
- Lack of naval support and coordination between their army and navy.
- Insufficient funds and resources compared to the well-supplied British forces.
- The leadership of Comte de Lally was seen as impulsive, which created internal conflicts and poor morale among his troops.
8. How was the Battle of Wandiwash different from the Battle of Plassey?
While both battles were crucial for the British, their nature was different. The Battle of Plassey (1757) was won largely through conspiracy and betrayal, establishing British dominance in the rich province of Bengal. In contrast, the Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was a straightforward military engagement that demonstrated British tactical superiority over another European power, the French, sealing their dominance in Southern India.
