The Third Carnatic War was one of the series of wars fought in the middle of the 18th century in the coastal Carnatic region. It was fought between the British and the French from 1758 – 1763. Between 1740 to 1763, three Carnatic Wars took place. The French wanted to capture the fort of Wandiwash which was opposed by the British and led to the battle of Wandiwash (3rd Carnatic War). Check the following article on NCERT notes on the Third Carnatic War to know more about the events to be able to prepare for the UPSC general studies paper I.

Third Carnatic War (UPSC Modern History) NCERT Notes: Download PDF here

The Carnatic Wars – Background

• The English and the French who came to trade in India got involved in politics.
• The Anglo-French rivalry in India took place in the form of three Carnatic Wars.

First Carnatic War

• The first Carnatic War took place between 1740 – 1748
• Causes: 
  1. Some of the French ships were captured by the English navy under Barnet.
  2. The French retaliated with the help of the fleet under Admiral La Bourdonnais and seized Madras
• The War ended in 1748 and the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle was signed.
• As per the treaty, Madras was returned to the English and the French in turn got their territories back in North America.

Second Carnatic War

• With the death of the Nizam of Hyderabad, both Nasir Jang, the son of Nizam, and Muzaffar Jang, the grandson of Nawab, claimed their accession to the throne.
• In the Carnatic, Chanda Sahib opposed the appointment of AnWar-ud-din Khan as the Nawab.
• The French supported Muzaffar Jang and Chanda sahib whereas the English supported Nasir Jang and AnWar-ud-din. This led to the Second Carnatic War.
• Muzaffar Jang, Chanda sahib along with French, killed AnWar-ud-din and won the battle of Ambur

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Third Carnatic War – Causes

The causes of the third Carnatic War are as follows:

• The seven years War began in 1756 when Austria wanted to recover Silesia in Europe. This renewed the conflict between Britain and France
• They started attacking each other’s possession in 1757
• The English forts of St. David and Vizianagaram were captured by the French army under Count de Lally.
• The English who became offensive inflicted heavy losses on the French fleet under Admiral La Bourdonnais.

Third Carnatic War – Course of War

• The French army under Arthur de Lally wanted to capture the Wandiwash (Vandavasi) in Tamil Nadu.
• The Battle of Wandiwash was fought between the English under the leadership of General Eyre Coote and the French under the leadership of Arthur de Lally.
• The Third Carnatic War was won by the English army on January 22, 1760.
• The English army crushed the entire French army and took Marquis de Bussy as a prisoner.
• The Third Carnatic War ended with the Treaty of Peace of Paris

Third Carnatic War – Significance

• The French lost their political influence in India after the Third Carnatic War. They were confined to small enclaves.
• The English became the supreme European power in India.
• The 3rd Carnatic War proved to be a turning point for the British to establish their control over India.

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Third Carnatic War – Reasons for French Failure

• The British had superior naval power compared to that of the French. The sea link between the French possessions in France and India was terminated by the English.
• The English had a hold over three important places in India – Bombay, Calcutta and Madras whereas the French had only in Pondicherry.
• The French East India Company was under the French government and followed its policies. Thus the decision making process was delayed.
• One of the main reasons for French failure in the third Carnatic War was lack of superiority of the commanders.
• Unlike French, British paid equal importance to both commercial as well as political interests. Thus the English had sufficient finance to support the Wars.

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