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Module - III Battles Fought in the Colonial Era

Military History of the
Intext Questions 10.1
Colonial Era

1. How many Anglo- Dutch Wars took place between 1652 to 1783?
2. When was the Battle of Plassey fought?

10.1.1 The Battle of Adyar- 24 October 1746
This battle was a part of the First Carnatic War between the English and the French.
Note
This particular battle was between the French East India Company and the forces of
the Nawab of Arcot to recapture Fort St George. Nawab of Arcot, who was a close
ally to the British, gave his army. His son Mahfuz Khan led his troops to regain the fort
from the French. In the battle that followed, Khan was forced to retreat to South of
Adyar River and later he captured the area of Santhome. However, The French forces,
which included native Indians, trained by the French, attacked the British from the
seaside. They used effective guns effectively and a pitched battle followed. The effective
artillery fire broke the defences of the Khan's troops and the French retained control
over St George Fort. It will be later battles in which the British finally managed to
defeat the French and remove them from India.

10.1.2 The Battle of Wandiwash -22 January 1760
This battle was a part of Seven Year War, which weakened the French position. It
was a decisive victory for the British who ended the French dominance in Southern
India. Wandiwash was besieged by the French forces with an approximate strength of
2000 men under the command of Thomas Arthur de Lally. Similar strength of British
force under the command of Colonel Eyre Coote arrived at Wandiwash to relieve the
fort. Lally could see some unrest like situation so he sent his troops to make a charge
along with artillery, followed by a cavalry charge where his army could not resist the
determined musketry (Musket is a rifle which was long and used in 17 and 18th
century). Lally moved his infantry into the battle. Accurate artillery fire from the British
artillery destroyed an important ammunition dump. This caused a collapse of one flank
of the French forces and they were forced to retreat to Pondicherry.
10.1.3 The Mysore Wars

There were four military confrontations in India between the British and the rulers of
Mysore during the years 1767-69, 1780-84, 1790-92 and 1799. During 1761 a
Muslim adventurer by name Hyder Ali who was a commander in chief made himself as
the ruler of Mysore and started expanding his rule. In 1766 The East India Company
joined hands with the Nizam of Hyderabad to fight against Hyder Ali but later the
Nizam withdrew and the British were left alone to face Hyder Ali. In the first war
Hyder Ali appeared before the company and dictated peace. In the second war in
1780 Hyder Ali joined hands with the Marathas to fight against the British and
established himself in Karnataka. Afetr the death of Hyder Ali in December 1782 the
Britisher's made peace with Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. A treaty called the Treaty of
Manglore was signed in 1784.

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MILITARY HISTORY