Q. Which of the following statements correctly represents the significance and consequences of the First Carnatic War?
1.The Battle of St. Thome/Adyar established the principle that European powers were militarily superior to Indian rulers’ armies, shattering the long-held military prestige of the Nawab of the Carnatic.
2.It solidified the Anglo-French rivalry in India by demonstrating that the European conflict could be effectively waged on Indian soil, independently of Indian political intervention.
3.The war served as a clear proof that the coastal trading ports could be used as springboards for territorial expansion and political maneuvering in the Deccan hinterland.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: D
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct. In the Battle of St. Thome, a small, highly disciplined French force (approx. 930 soldiers) decisively defeated the large army (approx. 10,000 soldiers) of Nawab Anwar-ud-din. This demonstrated the immense tactical and training superiority of European forces over traditional Indian armies.
- Statement 2 is correct. The war proved that the disputes that began in Europe could be transplanted to India, and the European powers, using their own resources, could fight each other irrespective of local Indian consent or intervention.
- Statement 3 is correct. Dupleix’s success in capturing Madras and then defending his gains against the Nawab proved that the fortified coastal settlements were not just commercial hubs but crucial military bases from which political and territorial ambition could be launched.
