Question

Explain India and European colonialism from the point of view of foreigners.

French

Answer 1

1. In 1664 ‘French East India Company’ (La Compagnie des Indes Orientalis) was established, with the initiative of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French finance minister to King Louis XIV.
2. The company was given the authority to trade with eastern countries, to maintain army and navy and also exemption from taxes.
3. The company was also given the authority to enter a war or treaty with the eastern rulers.
4. In 1666, British East India Company obtained permission from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for a factory in Surat. The first French factory in Surat was established in 1668.
5. French expanded with factories in Pondicherry, Chandranagar, Mahe, Karikal, and Machilipatnam. Pondicherry became a key center for French operations.
6. Conflicts arose among the Nawab of Karnataka's family members in Pondicherry.
7. British and French intervened in the family disputes, leading to three Carnatic Wars from 1744 to 1763. The British defeated the French in the third Carnatic War, establishing dominance.
8. After the French defeat, the British became the predominant European power in India.