The French in India

The French were the last European traders who came to India in search of direct access to the spice markets. They established their first factory at Surat (in 1668) and another at Machilipatnam (in 1669). In 1673, the French laid the foundation of Pondicherry in a small village which was obtained from the Muslim Governor of Valikondapuram.

The rivalry between the Dutch and the French led to the decline of the French in India. Gradually, the French lost their power and deserted their factories at Surat, Machilipatnam and Bantam. Later, they occupied Mahe on the Malabar Coast in 1725 and Karaikal in 1739.

From 1741, the French under Joseph François Dupleix pursued an aggressive policy against both the Indians and the English. This led to the famous Carnatic wars and the French was ultimately defeated by Robert Clive. Pondicherry, Mahe, Karaikal and Chandannagar remained under French control. They were finally joined with the Indian Union in 1949.