Anthony at 17:11, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T17:11:16Z

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{{short description|18th-century alliances between France and parts of India}}
{{For|the French alliance in Northern America|Franco–Indian alliance}}
[[File:Suffren meeting with Haider Ali, 26 july 1782 engraved by J B Morret 1789.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez|Suffren]] meeting with [[Hyder Ali]] in 1782, J.B. Morret engraving, 1789.]]
{{Foreign alliances of France}}
Various '''Franco-Indian Alliances''' were formed between [[Kingdom of France|France]] and various [[India]]n [[Realm|kingdoms]] from the 18th century to the ascent of [[Napoleon]]. Following the alliances of [[Joseph François Dupleix|Dupleix]], a formal alliance was formed by [[Louis XVI|King Louis XVI]] during the [[American Revolutionary War]] in an attempt to oust the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Later, numerous proposals of alliance were made by [[Tipu Sultan]], leading to the dispatch of a French fleet of volunteers to help him, and even motivating an effort by [[Napoleon]] to make a junction with the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] through his 1798 [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|campaign in Egypt]].

==Early French involvement==
{{main|French India|France–India relations}}
[[File:Dupleix meeting the Soudhabar of the Deccan.jpg|thumb|left|Dupleix meeting the Soudhabar of the [[Deccan]], [[Murzapha Jung]].]]
In the 17th century, [[François Bernier]] (1625–1688), a [[French people|French]] [[physician]] and traveler, became the personal physician of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] emperor [[Aurangzeb]] for 12 years.

In the early 18th century, France was actively involved in the powerplay in [[India]]. The French General [[Joseph François Dupleix|Dupleix]] was allied to [[Murzapha Jung]] in the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]], and [[Chanda Sahib]] in the [[Carnatic Wars]], in their conflict against [[Robert Clive]] of the [[East India Company]]. These relationships were beneficial to the French, and French allies gifted areas such as the [[Alamparai Fort]] in return for the services provided by the French in conflicts against the British.

The French won a victory in the [[Battle of Madras]] in 1746, and the French and Indians fought together and vanquished [[Anwaruddin Muhammed Khan|Anwaruddin]] in 1749, but failed in the [[Battle of Arcot]] in 1751 and finally surrendered in 1752.<ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p. 160</ref> The French again had a success at the capture of [[Fort St. David]] in 1758 under [[Thomas Arthur, comte de Lally|Lally]], but were finally defeated at [[Masulipatam]] (1759) and [[Wandewash]] (1760).<ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p. 160</ref>

==Alliance of Louis XVI==
[[File:Madhav Rao Narayan, the Maratha Peshwa with Nana Fadnavis and Attendants.jpg|thumb|The [[Maratha]] [[Peshwa]] [[Madhav Rao Narayan]] formed an alliance with [[Louis XVI]] in 1782. Here, in [[Poona]] in 1792.]]
French had lost preeminence in India with the [[Treaty of Paris (1763)|Treaty of Paris]] in 1763, although five trading posts were being maintained there, leaving opportunities for disputes and power-play with [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tigerandthistle.net/tipu315.htm |title=The National Galleries of Scotland |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121224521/http://www.tigerandthistle.net//tipu315.htm |archive-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> France was successful in supporting the [[American Revolutionary War]] in 1776, and wished to oust the British from India as well.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tigerandthistle.net/tipu315.htm |title=The National Galleries of Scotland |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121224521/http://www.tigerandthistle.net//tipu315.htm |archive-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1782, [[Louis XVI]] sealed an alliance with the [[Peshwa]] [[Madhavrao II|Madhav Rao Narayan]]. As a consequence [[Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau|Bussy]] moved his troops to Île de France ([[Mauritius]]) and later contributed to the French effort in India in 1783.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tigerandthistle.net/tipu315.htm |title=The National Galleries of Scotland |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121224521/http://www.tigerandthistle.net//tipu315.htm |archive-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>''The influence of sea power upon history, 1660–1783'' by Alfred Thayer Mahan p.461 [https://books.google.com/books?id=nc7H1eQiArQC&pg=PA461]</ref> [[Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez|Suffren]] became the ally of [[Hyder Ali]] in the [[Second Anglo-Mysore War]] in 1782–1783, engaging in five battles against the [[Royal Navy]] off the coasts of India and [[Ceylon]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://historyproject.ucdavis.edu/ic/standard/5.00/5.3_1.00/13161.html |title=The History Project, University of California |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929061344/http://historyproject.ucdavis.edu/ic/standard/5.00/5.3_1.00/13161.html |archive-date=2011-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Fk_RaalNQAQC&pg=PA183 ''Britain as a military power, 1688-1815'' by Jeremy Black, p]</ref>

Between February 1782 and June 1783, Suffren fought with the British admiral [[Edward Hughes (Royal Navy officer)|Sir Edward Hughes]], and collaborated with the rulers of Mysore.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Fk_RaalNQAQC&pg=PA183 ''Britain as a military power, 1688-1815'' by Jeremy Black, p]</ref><ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p.159</ref> Suffren fought in the [[Battle of Sadras]] on February 17, 1782, the [[Battle of Providien]] on April 12 near [[Trincomalee]], the [[Battle of Negapatam (1782)|Battle of Negapatam]] on July 6 off [[Cuddalore]], after which Suffren seized upon the anchorage of Trincomalee compelling the small British garrison to surrender. An army of 3,000 French soldiers collaborated with Hyder Ali to capture [[Cuddalore]]. Finally, the [[Battle of Trincomalee]] took place near that port on September 3. These battles can be seen as the last battles of the Franco-British conflict that encompassed the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]], and would cease with the signature of the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)|Treaty of Versailles]] of 1783 establishing peace and recognizing American independence.

===Proposals of Tipu Sultan===
[[File:Louis XVI Receives the Ambassadors of Tipu Sultan 1788 Voyer after Emile Wattier 19th century.jpg|thumb|left|[[Louis XVI]] receives the ambassadors of [[Tipu Sultan]] in 1788, Voyer after [[Emile Wattier]], 19th century.]]
Following the 1783 Treaty of Versailles and the removal of French support, [[Tipu Sultan]], the son of Hyder Ali, was unable to recapture [[Mangalore]] from the British, although he later managed to regain control after a 10-month [[Siege of Mangalore|siege]] in 1784.<ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p. 162</ref> He finally made peace with the British in spring 1784.<ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p. 162</ref>

In 1786, Tipu Sultan nevertheless sent an embassy to France through [[Constantinople]], but the embassy had to be cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tigerandthistle.net/tipu315.htm |title=The National Galleries of Scotland |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121224521/http://www.tigerandthistle.net//tipu315.htm |archive-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In July 1787, Tipu Sultan sent a new embassy directly to Paris, formed of three ambassadors Mohammed Dervich Khan, Akbar Ali Khan and Mohammad Osman Khan, who were accompanied by the French trader from [[Puducherry (city)|Pondicherry]], M. Monneron. After arriving in [[Toulon]], the ambassadors were able to meet with Louis XVI in August 1788 in Versailles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tigerandthistle.net/tipu315.htm |title=The National Galleries of Scotland |access-date=2009-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121224521/http://www.tigerandthistle.net//tipu315.htm |archive-date=2008-11-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, France, which was now at peace with London, did not wish to resume hostilities.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini p.11]</ref>
[[File:Elizabeth Vigee Lebrun - Portrait of Mohammed Dervish Khan 366N10007 B3Y2Q.jpg|thumb|[[Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun]]: Portrait of Mohammed Dervish Khan, Tipu's ambassador to France (1788)]]

Tipu Sultan again proposed an offensive and defensive alliance to France in October 1794, and April 1796.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini p.11]</ref> France was hampered in its support to India by the [[French Revolution]], but contacts would resume with the rise of Napoléon.<ref>''Cambridge Illustrated Atlas of Warfare'', p. 162</ref>

In 1794, with the support of French Republican officers, Tipu helped found the [[Jacobin Club of Mysore]] for 'framing laws comfortable with the laws of the Republic' He planted a Liberty Tree and declared himself Citizen Tipoo.<ref>{{cite book|last=Upendrakishore Roychoudhury|title=White Mughals|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7BCr-QIWGIC&dq=Tipu+Sultan+jacobin+laws&pg=PA101|date=101|publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=9780143030461}}</ref>

French soldiers, mobilized by [[François Ripaud]] in 1797 to support Tipu Sultan, were buried in a cemetery at [[Harohalli]], which has fallen into disrepair as the locals steal iron grills, bricks, metal plaques, and expensive marble.<ref>Jean Boutier. [https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00007971/document?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=nui,sc Les ”lettres de créances” du corsaire Ripaud]. Un ”club jacobin” à Srirangapatnam (Inde), mai-juin 1797. Le monde créole : peuplement, sociétés et condition humaine XVIIe-XXe siècles : mélanges offerts à Hubert Gerbeau / sous la direction de Jacques Weber ; avec le concours de Jean Benoist et Sudel Fuma, Les Indes Savantes, 2005, 978-2-84654-059-9. ffhalshs-00007971f</ref><ref name="DH-Mahadeva">{{cite news |last1=B |first1=Mahadeva |date=29 October 2013 |title=Uneasy lie the fallen here |publisher=Dean Herald |issue=Bangalore |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/365804/uneasy-lie-fallen-here.html |accessdate=22 January 2015}}</ref>

==Napoleon's attempted junction with India==
Tipu again made a proposal in October 1797 through [[Anne Joseph Hippolyte de Maurès, Comte de Malartic|Malartic]], the Governor of [[Mauritius|Île de France]] (Mauritius).<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini p.11]</ref> Malartic, who could not deplete his forces in Île de France, sent a group of 150 volunteers in the [[frigate]] ''La Preneuse'', on 7 March 1798.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini p.11]</ref> ''La Preneuse'' arrived in [[Mangalore]] in April 1798.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=dLURAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA341 ''Historical Sketches of the South of India'' by Mark Wilks p.341]</ref> A group of French officers numbering 124 men, under the Command of [[Michel Joachim Marie Raymond|Michel Raymond]], was also leading an army of 14,000 for the [[Nizam]], Subhadar of the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] [[Ali Khan Asaf Jah II]], but following British diplomatic intervention, the Nizam was persuaded to remain neutral in the conflict.<ref>The dispatches of Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington 著者: Arthur Wellesley Wellington, Duke of Wellington, p. 4 [https://books.google.com/books?id=2znSAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA4]</ref>

[[Napoleon|Napoleon Bonaparte]], who wished to establish a French presence in the Middle East, took the opportunity of his [[French campaign in Egypt and Syria|campaign in Egypt]] to plan a junction with Tipu against the British.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=o4vrUbMK5eEC&pg=PA13 ''Tricolor and crescent'' William E. Watson p.13-14]</ref> Napoleon assured to the [[Directoire]] that ''"as soon as he had conquered Egypt, he will establish relations with the Indian princes and, together with them, attack the English in their possessions."''<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA12 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini, p.12]</ref> According to a 13 February 1798 report by [[Talleyrand]]: ''"Having occupied and fortified Egypt, we shall send a force of 15,000 men from [[Suez]] to India, to join the forces of Tipu-Sahib and drive away the English."''<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=n5IOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA12 ''Napoleon and Persia'' by Iradj Amini, p. 12]</ref> The Directory, though troubled by the scope and cost of the enterprise, agreed so the popular general would be absent from the centre of power.<ref>Schom 1998, pp. 72–73</ref>

Napoleon was defeated by a combined Ottoman-British force at the [[Siege of Acre (1799)|Siege of Acre]] in 1799, and at the [[Battle of Abukir (1801)|Battle of Abukir]] in 1801, so that by 1802, France's presence was completely rolled back from the Middle-East.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UBilxxaKRKkC&pg=PA11 Karsh, p.11]</ref> Soon however, from 1803, Napoleon went to great lengths to try to convince the Ottoman Empire to fight against [[Russia]] in the [[Balkans]] and join his anti-Russian coalition.<ref>Karsh, p. 11</ref> Napoleon sent General [[Horace Sebastiani]] as envoy extraordinary, promising to help the Ottoman Empire recover lost territories.<ref>Karsh, p. 11</ref> Napoleon also formed a [[Franco-Persian alliance]] in 1807 during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], with the continuous aim of having an eventual open path to attack British India.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=BzMJys65u9wC&pg=PA97 ''The Islamic world in decline'' by Martin Sicker p.97]</ref>

Napoleon's interest in the Middle East and India waned when he finally vanquished Russia at the [[Battle of Friedland]] in July 1807, leading to the Treaty of Tilsit, in December 1807.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=BzMJys65u9wC&pg=PA97 ''The Islamic world in decline'' by Martin Sicker p.97]</ref> France as an ally of Russia became a strong repellent to both the [[Ottoman Empire]] and [[Qajar Iran|Persia]]. Great Britain signed a mutual defense treaty with Shah [[Shuja al-Mulk]] of [[Afghanistan]] on 17 June 1809 in order to better resist the Franco-Persian threat, but by that time Persia had already denounced its alliance with France and was moving towards Great Britain.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=BzMJys65u9wC&pg=PA97 ''The Islamic world in decline'' by Martin Sicker p.97-98]</ref> These last events rendered the Franco-Indian alliance impossible to pursue further.

==See also==
* [[Foreign alliances of France]]
* [[French India]]
* [[France–India relations]]
*[[Jacobin Club of Mysore]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
* Inari Karsh ''Empires of the Sand: The Struggle for Mastery in the Middle East, 1789–1923'' Harvard University Press, 2001 {{ISBN|0-674-00541-4}}
* Iradj Amini ''Napoleon and Persia: Franco-Persian relations under the First Empire'' Taylor & Francis, 2000 {{ISBN|0-934211-58-2}}
* Martin Sicker ''The Islamic world in decline: from the Treaty of Karlowitz to the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire'' Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001 {{ISBN|0-275-96891-X}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Franco-Indian Alliances}}
[[Category:Ancien régime]]
[[Category:History of the foreign relations of India]]
[[Category:France–India relations]]

Franco-Indian alliances - Revision history

Anthony at 17:11, 5 February 2026