Dupleix made a cardinal blunder in looking for the key of India in madras: Clive sought and found it in Bengal." Critically examine.
Answers
Answer:
I. A. R. Marriot also speaks in the same strain when he remarks “Dupleix made a cardinal blunder in looking for the Key of India in Madras; Clive sought and found it in Bengal”.
Answer:
The discovery of the Indian ocean route resulted in the arrival of various European powers in India. Their initial goal was to engage in trade and commerce, but they later became interested in territorial occupation. France and the United Kingdom were two major European powers.
Explanation:
The center of power for colonial conquest in India. Three Anglo-French wars were fought, which determined that the English, not the French, would rule India.
Robert Clive and Dupleix were English and French leaders who played pivotal roles in their respective countries' success and failure. Both were initially active in the Madras region, but Clive soon realized that Bengal might be a better place to begin territorial conquest in India.
The explanations for Clive's success and Dupleix's failure are as follows:
- Because Bengal is located in the Ganga's lower plains, which are very fertile, food grain production was abundant here. Whereas the Madras region was less fertile in comparison .
- Bengal was the most prosperous region of the country during this period, with industries such as cotton textiles achieving international fame, whereas the Madras region lacked industrial development, resulting in Bengal having a higher revenue collection.
- Because Bengal was politically stable and united, but the ruler was weak, Clive was forced to fight on a single front. Whereas Hyderabad and Carnatic were two major powers in the Madras region, Dupleix interfered in the internal affairs of both states at the same time, which was beyond the capacity of the French company's force.
- The personal personalities of Clive and Dupleix played an important role as well. Dupliex came from an aristocratic family, which was reflected in his actions. He led a lavish lifestyle and wasted money on his vices. Although he was a capable general, he failed to capitalise on opportunities on several occasions. Robert Clive was a cunning commander who would go to any length to defeat the enemy. To achieve his goal, he bribed officials, made false promises, and even forged the signature of the commander in chief. Dupleix was also far behind Clive in terms of strategy.
- The Bengal served as a springboard for British conquest in India. The British were able to maintain a large army due to excess revenue and agricultural surplus.
- Bengal's location was also advantageous for conquest, as the Mughal authority could be directly challenged from here.
These things were lacking in Madras, and history shows that any power that began its campaign in the south has never succeeded in conquering India. According to J.A.R. Marriot, the cardinal blunder was made by Dupleix.
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