Fortunes À Faire : The French in Asian Trade, 1719–48

The history of the French in India has received far less scholarly attention than that of other European nations; English historiography, in particular, has often treated it as no more than a preliminary to the extension of British power. In addition, work hitherto has tended to focus on the trade with Europe, not the Asian trade - the 'country trade' carried on within Asia; the full importance of this trade for the Dutch and British is now being recognised. This book represents the first sustained study of French activities in Asian trade, and fills this gap in the historiography. Catherine Manning is concerned to relate the French traders to their social, regional and financial roots, and to trace their connections with other commercial groups in India, both European and Asian. The French evidence that she assembles, including much archival material, also makes a significant contibution to the debate about economic decline and renewal in 18th-century India. Her analysis stresses the importance of the Indian context, and shows that economic and political developments in South India were crucial to the French move from trade to war in the 1740s. Finally the book examines why the French failed in an enterprise which was to succeed so signally for the British only a few decades later. Catherine Manning Is Concerned To Relate The French Traders To Their Social, Regional And Financial Roots, And To Trace Their Connections With Other Commercial Groups In India, Both European And Asian. The French Evidence That She Assembles, Including Much Archival Material, Also Makes A Significant Contribution To The Debate About Economic Decline And Renewal In 18th-century India. Her Analysis Shows That Economic And Political Developments In South India Were Crucial To The French Move From Trade To War In The 1740s. Finally The Book Examines Why The French Failed In An Enterprise Which Was To Succeed So Signally For The British Only A Few Decades Later. Maps: The Indian Ocean And The South China Sea -- Maps: India -- I. The Asian Scene: Politics And Trade, 1700-50 -- Ii. The French Company, 1664-1748 -- Iii. The French Community In India -- Iv. French Country Trade: The Company And The Private Traders -- V. The French Partner -- Vi. The European And Christian Partner -- Vii. The Indian Partner -- Viii. The Westward Routes -- Ix. The Eastern Routes And Inland Trade -- X. From Trade To War -- Xi. Conclusion -- Appendix I. French Country Voyages -- Appendix Ii. The Family Tree Of The Carvalho-labat Family -- Appendix Iii. The Governors Of Pondicherry And The Isles And Directors Of Chandannagar, 1719-54 -- Appendix Iv. Currencies And Weights. Catherine Manning. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [247]-274) And Index. Contents Abbreviations Introduction Maps I The Asian Scene: Politics and Trade, 1700-50 II The French Company, 1664-1748 III The French Community in India IV French Country Trade: the Company and the Private Traders V The French Partner VI The European and Christian Partner VII The Indian Partner VIII The Westward Routes IX The Eastern Routes and Inland Trade X From Trade to War XI Conclusion Appendix I: French Country Voyages Appendix II: The Family Tree of the Carvalho-Labat Family Appendix III: The Governors of Pondicherry and the Isles and Directors of Chandannagar, 1719-54 Appendix IV: Currencies and Weights Bibliography Index Looking at an area of French trade in Asia in the first half of the 18th century, this text relates French Asian traders to their social, regional and financial roots and traces their connection with other Indian commercial groups, both European and Asian.