Anglo-French Rivalry and the Early East India Companies (1600-1763)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the origins of the English and French East India Companies, their rivalry in the Carnatic Wars, and related key figures and symbols.

English East India Company

British trading company founded in 1600; granted a monopoly on Eastern trade, opened its first factory at Surat (1612), and later expanded to Madras, Bombay and Calcutta, eventually intervening in Indian politics.

Queen Elizabeth I Charter (1600)

Royal charter that gave the English East India Company exclusive rights to trade with the East, barring other English merchants from competition.

Surat Factory (1612)

The first trading post established in India by the English East India Company, marking the start of its commercial presence on the subcontinent.

French East India Company

State-backed French trading company formed in 1664; headquartered at Pondicherry with factories in Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal, relying on French government financial and military aid.

Pondicherry (Puducherry)

Main French settlement and administrative base in India for the French East India Company.

Carnatic Wars

Series of three Anglo-French conflicts (1744-1763) fought largely in Tamil Nadu over control of Indian trade and political influence; ended with British dominance.

First Carnatic War (1744-1748)

Conflict in which French forces under Dupleix captured Madras; Nawab Anwar-ud-Din’s army was defeated; concluded with Madras returned to the British after European peace.

Dupleix

Governor-General of the French East India Company who led French campaigns in the First and Second Carnatic Wars before being recalled to France.

Anwar-ud-Din

Nawab of Carnatic who attempted to assist the British during the First Carnatic War but was defeated by the French.

Second Carnatic War (1748-1754)

Anglo-French struggle over succession in Hyderabad and Carnatic; British backed Nasir Jung and Muhammad Ali, while French supported Muzaffar Jung and Chanda Sahib; British victory led to a peace treaty and Dupleix’s recall.

Muzaffar Jung

French-supported claimant to the throne of Hyderabad during the Second Carnatic War.

Nasir Jung

British-supported contender for the Hyderabad throne, rival of Muzaffar Jung in the Second Carnatic War.

Chanda Sahib

French-backed aspirant to the Nawabship of Carnatic in the Second Carnatic War.

Muhammad Ali

British-supported candidate who became Nawab of Carnatic following the British victory in the Second Carnatic War.

Coat of Arms of the English East India Company

Emblem granted by Queen Elizabeth I featuring sea-lions, St George flags, three east-bound ships, roses symbolising England, and a globe indicating global reach.

“Deus Indicat Deo Ducente Nil Nocet”

Latin motto on the Company’s coat of arms meaning “God is our leader; when God leads, nothing can harm.”