French
Connection
The French in India had disappointed Tipu in his expectation of close co-operation.
Therefore, he thought of approaching their superiors in Paris. The French adventurers at
Tipu's court encouraged him to hope for effective aid, if he were send an embassy to the
court of Louis XVI. Therefore three Ambassadors with 45 men sailed for
Europe from Pondicherry in July 1787 to conclude an offensive alliance against the
English. Tipu asked for 10,000 troops to serve under his direct command. The
first article of the proposed treaty stated that war was to be declared against the
English, and was to be fought until the capture of Madras, Bombay & Bengal.
The South was to be subjugated first and then the North. The envoys reached Toulon in June
1788. The French king had sent his own carpets to receive them. |
