Second Carnatic War: Background, Causes, Course, Result & More | UPSC Notes

The Second Carnatic war which lasted from 1749 to 1754 was one of the three Carnatic wars that were fought in the middle of the 18th century. The Second Carnatic war was fought between the English and the French who were the old rivals in Europe. The Carnatic wars were fought in the Carnatic region, i.e., the peninsular South Indian region between the Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal. The Second Carnatic war was due to the struggle for power in the kingdom of Hyderabad by the Indian claimants who were sided by the British and French. The war concluded with the Treaty of Pondicherry, 1754 and the British gained dominance over the Carnatic region.

This article on Second Carnatic War UPSC explains the causes, course, and results of the war. The three Carnatic wars of Modern history are important for the UPSC CSE exam.

About the Second Carnatic War

The Second Carnatic War took place from 1749 to 1754. It was a conflict between the British East India Company and the French East India Company for dominance in the Carnatic region of South India. It was part of the larger geopolitical rivalry between the European powers in India.

Background of the Second Carnatic War

The Second Carnatic War was triggered by a power struggle for control over the Carnatic region after the death of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The British and the French, both seeking to expand their influence, supported rival claimants to the throne, leading to armed conflict.

Read the article on the First Anglo Maratha War!

Causes of Second Carnatic War

With the victory in the First Carnatic war, the political ambitions of Dupleix (the French governor who successfully led the war) sharpened. Dupliex started looking for opportunities to interfere in the local politics and thereby increase the French power in India. He also planned this in order to defeat the English. The main cause for the Second Carnatic war was the political unrest in Hyderabad and Carnatic.

In the Independent Kingdom of Hyderabad

With the death of Nizam-ul-Mulk, the founder of the independent kingdom of Hyderabad on 21 May, 1748 there was a dispute in succession to the throne of Hyderabad. After the death of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Nasir Jang who was the second son of the Nawab succeeded to the throne. He was contested by his nephew Muzaffar Jang who was the grandson of the Nawab. Muzaffar Jang claimed the throne stating that he was appointed as Governor of Carnatic by the Mughal emperor.

In the Carnatic Region

At the same time, Chanda Sahib, the son in law of Dost ali (Nawab of Carnatic) was released by the Marathas. Anwar-ud-din khan was appointed as the Nawab of Carnatic. His right to Nawab was disputed by Chanda Sahib. Soon both the conflicts were merged into one.

Know more about the Third Carnatic War here.

Course of the Second Carnatic War

Dupleix took advantage of the political unrest to establish French power in the Southern region and paved the way for the Second Carnatic war.

• Dupleix on behalf of the French decided to support Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib who were claiming for the throne of Hyderabad and Nawabship of Carnatic respectively.
• The English supported the claims of Nasir Jang and Anwar-ud-din.
• The Battle of Ambur was fought near Vellore in August 1749 between the French and the English.
• The combined armies of the French, Muzaffar Jang and Chanda Sahib defeated and killed Anwar-ud-din in the battle.
• Muzaffar Jang became the subahdhar of Deccan. He rewarded the services of the French in the war.
  • Dupleix was appointed as the Governor of all the Mughal territories which were in the south of the river Krishna.
  • Some of the districts in Northern circars were surrendered to the French
  • A French army under the leadership of Bussy was stationed at Hyderabad in order to secure the French interests.
• In 1751, Chanda Sahib became the Nawab of Carnatic.
• Robert Clive failed to provide effective assistance to Mohammed Ali, the son of Anwar-ud-din who took refuge in Trichinopoly.
• In 1751, Robert Clive came up with a plan for the countermove. He suggested a surprise attack on the capital of Carnatic, Arcot in order to divert Chanda Sahib from Trichinopoly.
• Robert Clive’s plan was well conceived. He attacked and captured the Arcot with 210 men and was besieged for 53 days.
• Chanda Sahib was not able to recover the fort and he was executed by Muhammad Ali in 1752.

Read the article on the Third Anglo Maratha War!

Result of the Second Carnatic War

In 1754, as a result of heavy financial losses in the Second Carnatic war, the French authorities recalled Dupleix. Godeheu was appointed as the Governor – general of the French possessions in India. Godeheu negotiated with the English officials and concluded a peace treaty known as Treaty of Pondicherry in 1754 with the English.

Treaty of Pondicherry, 1754

At the end of the Second Carnatic war, the Treaty of Pondicherry was signed and it had the following provisions.

• The French and the English decided not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Indian rulers.
• The French army stationed in Hyderabad under Bussy was allowed to stay.
• Both were left with the territories occupied by them at the time of signing the treaty.

At the end of the Second Carnatic war, the English acquired dominance in Carnatic by installing their candidate Mohammed Ali as the Nawab of Carnatic. Though the French had setbacks in war, they gained the most. Their candidate, the Nizam of Hyderabad was awarded territories in Pondicherry and Northern Circars.

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