European arrival and Company expansion
European rivalry and the Carnatic wars (1740s to 1763)
Concepts to cover
- French company, Pondicherry and Dupleix's use of Indian politics
- Three Carnatic wars: Aix-la-Chapelle, the Hyderabad and Arcot contests, Wandiwash 1760 and Paris 1763
- Anglo-Dutch rivalry in Bengal and the Dutch defeat at Bedara (Chinsurah) 1759
- Structural reasons for English success over other companies: navy, state backing, company organisation, finance
Where to study
A Brief History of Modern India · Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum)
- ch. 3 Advent of the Europeans in India
Our Pasts III, Textbook in History for Class VIII (prelims and contents)
- ch. 2 From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power