Modern History Notes by Anuj Garg for UPSC
1. Decline of Mughals
2. Rise of regional powers
3. British v/s French
Introduction - Decline of Mughals
In the 18th century the English East India Company steered its way to a position of
political dominance. The decline of the Mughal authority gave rise to the emergence of
a number of independent kingdoms . The unity and stability of the Mughal Empire was
shaken during the long and strong reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. However, in spite of
setbacks and adverse circumstances the Mughal administration was still quite efficient
and the Mughal army strong at the time of his death in 1707
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
1
1. The Mughal Empire held sway over a large part of India for nearly three
centuries, but a drastic decline in its power and prestige came about by the first
half of the eighteenth century.
2. Not only did the political boundaries of the Empire shrink, the decline also saw
the collapse of the administrative structure so assiduously built by rulers like
Akbar and Shah Jahan.
3. Aurangzeb was the last of the powerful Mughal rulers. He established control
over a very large part of the territory that is now known as India. After his death
in 1707, many Mughal governors (subadars) and big zamindars began asserting
their authority and establishing regional kingdoms. As powerful regional
kingdoms emerged in various parts of India, Delhi could no longer function as
an effective centre
4. Weak Successors - In 1707, when Aurangzeb died, serious threats from the
peripheries had begun to accentuate the problems at the core of the empire.
The new emperor, Bahadur Shah I (or Shah Alam; ruled 1707–12), followed a
policy of compromise, pardoning all nobles who had supported his rivals.
5. Emergence of New States- With the decline in the authority of the Mughal
emperors, the governors of large provinces, subadars, and the great
zamindars consolidated their authority in different parts of the subcontinent.
Through the eighteenth century, the Mughal Empire gradually fragmented
into a number of independent, regional states. Broadly speaking the states
of the eighteenth century can be divided into three overlapping group
a. Successor States - States that were old Mughal provinces like Awadh,
Bengal and Hyderabad. Although extremely powerful and quite
independent, the rulers of these states did not break their formal ties
with the Mughal emperor.
b. Independent
States
-
States
that
had
enjoyed
considerable
independence under the Mughals as watan jagirs. These included
several Rajput principalities, Mysore and Kerala
c. Warrior States - The last group included states under the control of
Marathas, Sikhs and others like the Jats. These were of differing sizes
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
2
and had seized their independence from the Mughals after a long-drawn
armed struggle.
6. The Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 between the Afghans and the Marathas was
a major setback for the Marathas and their victory march was halted by the
success of the Afghans in this battle.
Anglo French Struggle
French East India Company 1664
1. The French East India Company was formed by Colbert under state
patronage in 1664.
2. They occupied Mahe in Malabar, Yanam in Coromandal and Karaikal in
Tamil Nadu (1739).
3. The arrival of Dupleix as French governor in India in 1742 saw the
beginning of Anglo-French conflict (Carnatic Wars) resulting in their final
defeat in India.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
3
4. First Anglo-French war (1746-48) : The French besieged Madras. At the St.
Thome battle the Nawab of Carnatic's army was defeated by the French
under Dupleix.
a. The Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle (1748) ended the war of Austrian
succession and First Anglo-French war in India.
5. Second Anglo-French war (1749-54) : Dupleix aligned with Muzaffar Jung
(Hyderabad) and Chanda Sahib (Carnatic/ Arcot). After initial reverses,
Robert Clive emerged victorious.
○ The Treaty of Pondicherry/Treaty by Godehu (new French governor
in place of Dupleix): 1754-ended the Second Anglo-French War.
6. Third Anglo-French war (1758-63) : French Count de Lally captured Fort
St. David. The French were defeated at Wandiwash (1760). It was a
decisive defeat for the French.
○ The treaty of Paris (1763) ended the Third and Final Anglo-French
war in India. Pondicherry was returned to the French by this treaty.
Introduction
1. As early as the beginning of the 18th century, only two European trading
companies remained in India: the British and the French.
2. As part of the British conquest of South India in the 18th century, the
Anglo-French rivalry manifested itself in three Carnatic Wars.
3. The Battle of Wandiwash 1760 effectively ended the long-standing conflict
of seeking supremacy in India as the Britishers defeated the French during
the Third Carnatic War.
4. This established the Britishers as the most formidable force vis-a-vis other
European powers. Pondicherry capitulated a year after Eyre Coote defeated
the French at Wandiwash in January 1760.
5. The effort of Dupleix and Bussy in the South was thus destroyed in
1760–1761; the French possessions in India were restored by the Treaty of
Paris (1763).
6. It was due to the English East India Company's strong navy in India, its
exemplary leadership, progressively increasing military strength, the more
extensive resources at its command in Bengal, and the support they
received from the English Government that this conflict was resolved in its
favor.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
4
The English and the French in India: Strengths and Weaknesses
Parameter
France
Nature of
Company
● French East India Company,
was a government controlled
company
● Small decisions were taken in
Paris
Seats of
Power
●
●
●
●
●
●
Navy
Pondicherry (Puducherry)
Chandernagore
Karaikal (Karaikal)
Mahe
Yanam
Neither Alexander the Great nor
Napoleon could have won the
empire of India by starting from
Pondicherry as a base and
contending with a power which
held Bengal and command of
the Sea. Dupleix made a
cardinal blunder in looking for
the key of India in madras
● Weak in comparison with
France
Britain
● British East India
company was
more independent
in control of
government was
less
●
●
●
●
●
Calcutta (Kolkata)
Fort Williams
Bombay (Mumbai)
Madras (Chennai)
British controlled
Bengal which
accounted for 60%
of European trade
with Asia
● Superior Navy
First Carnatic War (1740-48)
1. From Europe to Asia in 1740, the "Austrian War of Succession", triggered
the First Carnatic War.
2. The English held Madras under Anwar-ud-din, the Nawab of Carnatic.
However, the French were not in the mood to cooperate with Nawab.
3. The French were clearly superior to the British, despite their naval
weakness, during the First Carnatic War.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
5
4. Significance
a. During the First Carnatic War, the English called Anwar-ud-din, the
Nawab of Carnatic, for aid. The Battle of St. Thome/ Battle of Adyar
(in Madras) was fought in 1746 between the French soldiers and the
Indian forces.
b. The small French army (230 Europeans and 700 Indians) led by
Captain Paradise beat the formidable army (10,000 under Mahfuz
Khan) at St. Thome.
c. Due to this, Europeans in India were shocked to discover that a small,
disciplined force was capable of defeating a much larger Indian army.
In dealing with future Indian princes, this expertise proved invaluable.
Additionally, this war made evident the necessity of naval might
during the Anglo-French battle in the Deccan.
5. Numerous accords were signed after the First Carnatic War, including the
"Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle", which ended the "Austrian War of Succession"
in 1748. Madras was returned to the British, and the French were given
Louisburg in North American lands as a result of this deal.
UPSC 2022 Mains Question
British East India Company mostly comprising of Indian Soldiers won consistently
against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian
rulers ? Give reasons. अधिकांश भारतीय सिपाहियों वाली ईस्ट इंडिया की सेना क्यों
तत्कालीन भारतीय शासकों की सं ख्याबल में अधिक और बेहतर सुसज्जित सेना से लगातार
जीतती रही ? कारण बताएँ । 10m 150w
Second Carnatic War (1749-54)
1. The English and French were not involved in a European war when the
Second Carnatic War erupted
2. The English and French were battling for survival in India, which was a
major concern throughout the conflict.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
6
3. The Succession Rivalry between Carnatic and Hyderabad: A Deccan
province, Carnatic was governed by an aristocrat, the Nawab, with
headquarters in Arcot, and supervised by the subadar of Hyderabad, the
Nizam.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
7
4. Marathas had invaded Carnatic before the first Carnatic War and killed
Nawab Dost Ali in 1740. Chanda Sahib had also been imprisoned in Satara
by the Marathas.
5. The Nizam of Hyderabad arrived in Carnatic in 1743 to nominate
Anwar-ud-din Khan as Nawab of Carnatic. However, this step only made
matters worse, especially after Chanda Sahib was released by the Marathas
after seven years in captivity in 1748.
6. In 1748 Asaf-Jan-Nizam ul Mulk, the Hyderabad Nawab died. His successor
Nasir Jang succeeded him, but Muzaffar Jang claimed the crown as a result
of his appointment as Governor of the Carnatic by the Mughal Emperor.
7. Chanda Sahib joined forces with Muzaffar Jang to fight together for the
Carnatic and Hyderabad seats respectively.
8. Dupleix’s Intervention: It was a wonderful opportunity for French and
British companies to pursue their own goals during the War of Succession.
In response, the French began negotiating with Chanda Sahib and
Muzaffar Jang, intent on placing them on the thrones of the Deccan and
Carnatic, respectively.
9. Anwar-ud-din was killed at the Battle of Ambur on August 8, 1749. His son
Muhammad Ali fled to Trichinopoly, and Chanda Sahib became the Nawab
of Carnatic.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
8
10.Entry of the British: The British position in Madras appeared to be
irreversible. However, Saunders' appointment as Madras Governor,
however, changed the situation dramatically.
11.The starting of the Second War: When Robert Clive arrived with 200 English
soldiers and 300 Indian soldiers, Chanda Sahib and the French raised the
siege on Trichinopoly. Chanda Sahib and his forces were continuously
defeated by the French.
12.Immediately following Chanda Sahib's capture, the French fortunes began
to decline as their army and generals were not as equitable as their
English adversaries.
13.Dupleix made strenuous efforts to reverse French misfortunes, but neither
the French government nor the French East India Company's highest
authorities assisted him.
14.France's high officials and the military and naval commanders clashed
frequently throughout the war, as did Dupleix.
15.The French government was forced into peace negotiations due to the total
costs of the war in India and a fear of losing its American colonies. As a
result, the English government demanded that Dupleix be recalled.
16.In India, the French Company would be dealt a severe blow with this
decision; with the Treaty of Pondicherry, signed in 1754, the temporary
truce between the two companies was ended, and Muhammad Ali Khan
Walajah was recognized as Nawab of Carnatic. Charles Godeheu replaced
Dupleix.
17.Result
a. After Dupleix's policy resulted in significant losses, the French
authorities recalled Dupleix in 1754.
b. Dupleix was succeeded by Charles Godeheu as French
Governor-General in India.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
9
c. An agreement was reached with the English through negotiations.
d. The English and French opted to stay out of the feuds amongst native
princes. Furthermore, each nation kept power over the land that was
under its jurisdiction at the time the pact was signed. To avoid major
repercussions in America, the French halted hostilities in India.
18.Implications:
a. European success no longer depended on the cooperation of Indian
authorities. Instead, Indian authority itself became dependent on
European support.
b. In Carnatic and Hyderabad, Muhammad Ali and Salabat Jang, instead
of patrons, became clients.
Third Carnatic War (1758-63)
Setup For the Third Carnatic War:
1. English forces in India captured Chandernagore as the Seven Years' War
broke out between the English and French in Europe.
2. After warning the European powers that he would not allow similar
behavior, Siraj-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, was upset with the
company's conduct.
3. During the siege of Chandernagore (Chandannagar), the Nawab offered
refuge to the French captives at his court, refusing to send them out,
despite English promises of protection against a Mughal heir's apparent
coming attack on Bengal.
4. One of the factors contributing to the war between him and the British was
the Nawab's refusal to surrender to the French.
5. Count de Lally's powerful French army had set sail for India from France but
had faced various difficulties along the route.
6. Battle of Wandiwash: A decisive battle occurred in Wandiwash in the Third
Carnatic War on 22 January 1760.
7. Within a few months, General Eyre Coote's army routed Lally's French army
in the Carnatic, reducing all the minor possessions of the French.
8. In May 1760, the English attacked Pondicherry (Puducherry) and sacked the
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
10
French in the city. Within a year, the French had lost everything they had
in India.
Seven Years’ War (1756–63)
● Before the French Revolution, it was the last major war for all major
European powers to be involved.
● The Seven Years' War was mostly about disputes regarding overseas
colonies between France and Great Britain.
● France and Britain fought a long-standing power struggle of nine years
between themselves over North America and India. The Seven-year
War was the European phase of this struggle.
● It also led to Start of 3rd Carnatic war between British and French in India
The Battle of Wandiwash (22nd January 1760)
● This battle was a part of the Seven Year War, which weakened the French
position. The British captured Wandiwash from French forces under the
command of Thomas Arthur de Lally, a force of about 2000 men. The
victory ended French dominance in Southern India.
● As part of the British attacks, an important ammunition dump was
destroyed by accurate artillery fire from the British artillery under the
command of Colonel Eyre Coote. French forces were forced to withdraw
to Pondicherry due to a collapse of one flank.
Result and Significance of Third Carnatic War
1. After this war, France lost its political influence in India, despite the Paris
Peace Treaty of 1763 which brought back its factories.
2. Following that, the French restricted themselves to their small enclaves and
commerce, as did their Dutch and Portuguese counterparts in India, Dutch
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
11
power in India had already been weakened in 1759 by the Battle of Bidara,
making the English the supreme power.
3. Historiographers often consider the Battle of Plassey in 1757 as the decisive
event in the establishment of British rule in India.
4. Even so, one cannot completely dismiss the fact that the British victory
over the French at Wandiwash in 1760 was the turning point for control of
the subcontinent.
5. Following their victory at Wandiwash, it appeared that the English EIC
would have no European rival in India, so they would be able to take control
of the entire nation.
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
12
British v/s France
1707 - Death of
Aurangzeb
Hyderabad ruler and year of
State Formation
Carnatic was not an independent
state, whom did Asaf Jha
appointed as subedar
1732-40
Dost Ali died in 1740
Son and Son in law?
Write info about why Anwaruddin
was made Nawab of Carnatic in
1742
First Carnatic
Battle (Year,
Reason)
Battle of St Tomes
Treaty and Consequences
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
13
Second Carnatic
Battle - reason and
teams
Battle of
…………………
1760
Result and Treaty
Seven year war became the reason
of 3rd Carnatic war (Details)
1763
Treaty of Paris
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
14
Course link Use code - anujupsc while taking subscription
15