Siege of Arcot 1751
Topic: Europeans in India and the Rise of Company Rule · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Siege of Arcot took place in 1751, during the Second Carnatic War. In this war the British and French each backed a different claimant to the throne of the Carnatic. The British supported Muhammad Ali. The French supported Chanda Sahib. Robert Clive captured Arcot, the Carnatic capital, and held it against a much larger force. The victory made Clive famous, raised British prestige and weakened the French side.
Example
In 1751 Chanda Sahib was besieging Trichinopoly, where Muhammad Ali was trapped. Clive marched on Arcot with a small force to pull Chanda Sahib's troops away. Chanda Sahib's son, Raza Sahib, then besieged Arcot with a far bigger army that included French soldiers. Clive held out for about fifty days, until the attackers withdrew.
Don't confuse with
- Battle of Plassey (1757): Clive also won this battle, but in Bengal against Siraj-ud-daulah. He won it mainly through Mir Jafar's betrayal, not by holding out under siege.
Related concepts
- Dutch East India Company
- Battle of Colachel
- Marthanda Varma
- Danish East India Company
- French East India Company
- Dupleix
- Carnatic wars
- Battle of Chandernagore 1757
- Battle of Bedara 1759
- Battle of Wandiwash 1760