Ananda Ranga Pillai : : The 'Pepys' of French India / / C.S. Srinivasachari.

• VerfasserIn: Srinivasachari, C.S.,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill | Manohar Publishers & Distributors,, 2024.; ©2024
• Year of Publication: 2024
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (552 pages) :; illustrations.

The book contains the record of the events concerning the emergence of the French in south India from 1736 to 1760 compiled by Ananda Ranga Pillai. Ananda Ranga Pillai was a merchant by profession, who also served as a dubashi of the French East India Company. He belonged to a well-to-do merchant family in Madras. He became a close confidant to Joseph François Dupleix, the Governor-General of the French East India Company. He served Dupleix till his removal on account of ill health and deteriorating performance. His accounts reflect the eighteenth-century political scenario in the Madras province, and more specifically the Anglo-French Carnatic wars. The author of this book referred to Pillai as the 'Samuel Pepys of French India', who was an English diarist and navy administrator from whom the title of this book is given. The volume is part of article series, 'The Historical Material in the Private Diary of Ananda Ranga Pillai (1736-1761)' which was committed into a form of a book in 1940. Its English translation was published by the Madras Government. This book discusses the activities of the French in Madras province, and in particular, gave special reference to Dupleix's political activities. It also contains the history of Pondicherry which he recorded in his diaries. This book is from one of few Indian writers, who gave a closer look at the European activities in India. This volume also covers the conflicts between the Nawab of Carnatic and the subject of the Mughal Empire, Chanda Sahib, and the commandant of the English East Company's army, Yusuf Khan. Besides, the chapter covers the description of noted political figures like La Bourdonnais, Leyrit, Godeheu, and De Bussy, and covers the annexation of Madras, military operations conducted at Cuddalore and Pondicherry, and the fall of Pondicherry.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Introductory / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The First Years of the Diary / C.S. Srinivasachari -- La Bourdonnais on the Scene / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Capture of Madras and Its Sequel / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Further Doings of the French / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Continued Operations Round Fort St. David / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Operations Round Cuddalore and Pondicherry / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Close of the First War and the Descent of Chanda Sahib on the Scene / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Triumph of Chanda Sahib / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Climax of the French Effort / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Events Leading to the Diversion on Arcot / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Dupleix Faces Odds / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Dupleix Endeavours to Get Allies / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Pondicherry Under Godeheu / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Governor De Leyrit and his Troubles / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Bussy at Hyderabad and Other Matters / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Some Events of 1757 / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Growing Troubles—Arrival of Lally / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The Beginning of the End—Lally’s Campaigns / C.S. Srinivasachari -- The End—The Death of the Diarist and the Fall of Pondicherry / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Nainiya Pillai and Guruva Pillai / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Notices of Some Frenchmen mentioned by the Dìarist / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Entry of Ananda Ranga Pillai for Pramōdhūta , Mārgaḷi 8th Saturday—1750 December 16th / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Bibliography / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Index / C.S. Srinivasachari -- Map of Pondicherry and the Neighbouring Country Indicating the Chief Places Mentioned in the Work / C.S. Srinivasachari.