The capture of Madras by the French during the War of the Austrian Succession

PARADIS, Louis.

Madraz et le Fort St. Georges Pris par les François commandés par Mr. Mahé de la Bourdonnais Le 21 Septembre 1746.
Paris, c.1750. Sheet 370 x 570mm.

Trimmed to neatline, mounted in contemporary album paper, small scrape in title area.

A French plan of Madras (Chennai) drawn after the French captured the English trading post during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48). The English forces surrendered in the face of a heavy bombardment from a French fleet. The French then held it until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle swopped Madras for Louisbourg in Canada.
The plan of Madras was drawn by Captain Louis Paradis, an engineer with the occupying force. Because the French reneged on their promise to hand over Madras to the Nawab of the Carnatic, the Nawab sent 10,000 troops to insist the deal be fulfilled: Paradis commanded only 230 Europeans and 700 sepoys, yet easily routed the attackers.
The map was in 'Mémoire pour le sieur de La Bourdonnais, avec les pièces justificatives', in which Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, the commander of the French Fleet, had to justify the easy terms he gave the English garrison on their surrender.


Stock ID : 19559