Franco-Indian alliances - Revision history

Anthony: small adjust structure to improve readability and improved wording based on references

2026-02-05T17:11:16Z

small adjust structure to improve readability and improved wording based on references

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:41, 5 February 2026
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	[[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.]]		[[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}}		{{Foreign alliances of France}}
	Various '''Franco-Indian ~~alliances~~''' were formed between [[Kingdom of France\|France]] and various [[India~~\|Indian~~]] [[Realm\|kingdoms]] from the 18th century to the ascent of [[Napoleon]]. Following the alliances of [[Joseph François Dupleix\|Dupleix]], a formal alliance was formed ~~between~~ 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]].		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==		==Early French involvement==
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	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>		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>		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.		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.
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	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>		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 [[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>		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)]]		[[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>		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~~&pg=PA101~~&dq=Tipu+Sultan+jacobin+laws#v=~~onepage~~\|date=101\|isbn=9780143030461}}</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==		==Napoleon's attempted junction with India==
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	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 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 [[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.		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.

	~~===Harohalli French Cemetery===~~
	There exists a French cemetery in [[Harohalli]], where the French who came to aid [[Tipu Sultan]] are buried. The beautiful cemetery is more than 250 years old, but sadly lies in a state of neglect, with most graves vandalised by the local people. The French soldiers and family members died either by malaria, fatigue or in battle. The land for the French cemetery was granted by Tipu Sultan. Only 35 graves exist at present and most of them in a bad state. The locals have vandalised the graves to remove the iron grills, bricks, metal plaques and expensive marble. Many graves are left without any headstone.<ref name=DH-Mahadeva>{{cite news\|last1=B\|first1=Mahadeva\|title=Uneasy lie the fallen here\|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/365804/uneasy-lie-fallen-here.html\|accessdate=22 January 2015\|issue=Bangalore\|publisher=Dean Herald\|date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==
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	{{DEFAULTSORT:Franco-Indian Alliances}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Franco-Indian Alliances}}
	[[Category:Ancien ~~Régime in France~~]]		[[Category:Ancien régime]]
	[[Category:History of India]]		[[Category:History of the foreign relations of India]]
	[[Category:France–India relations]]		[[Category:France–India relations]]

>Rodw: Disambiguating links to Kingdom (link changed to Realm) using DisamAssist.

2021-06-23T16:29:01Z

Disambiguating links to Kingdom (link changed to Realm) using DisamAssist.

New page

{{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|Indian]] [[Realm|kingdoms]] from the 18th century to the ascent of [[Napoleon]]. Following the alliances of [[Joseph François Dupleix|Dupleix]], a formal alliance was formed between 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 [[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&pg=PA101&dq=Tipu+Sultan+jacobin+laws#v=onepage|date=101|isbn=9780143030461}}</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 [[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.

===Harohalli French Cemetery===
There exists a French cemetery in [[Harohalli]], where the French who came to aid [[Tipu Sultan]] are buried. The beautiful cemetery is more than 250 years old, but sadly lies in a state of neglect, with most graves vandalised by the local people. The French soldiers and family members died either by malaria, fatigue or in battle. The land for the French cemetery was granted by Tipu Sultan. Only 35 graves exist at present and most of them in a bad state. The locals have vandalised the graves to remove the iron grills, bricks, metal plaques and expensive marble. Many graves are left without any headstone.<ref name=DH-Mahadeva>{{cite news|last1=B|first1=Mahadeva|title=Uneasy lie the fallen here|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/365804/uneasy-lie-fallen-here.html|accessdate=22 January 2015|issue=Bangalore|publisher=Dean Herald|date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

==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 in France]]
[[Category:History of India]]
[[Category:France–India relations]]