Siege of Cuddalore (1748) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Cuddalore (1748)
Part of War of the Austrian Succession
Date 17 June 1748 Location Cuddalore, India Result British victory
Belligerents
Great Britain	France
Commanders and leaders
Stringer Lawrence	Mahé de La Bourdonnais Joseph Dupleix
Strength
400 men	800 Europeans 1,000 natives
Casualties and losses
light	heavy

The Siege of Cuddalore was an important battle that happened on June 17, 1748. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Austrian Succession. This war involved many European countries fighting over who would rule Austria.

In India, this conflict led to battles between the British and the French. Cuddalore was a town in India where the British had taken shelter. The French wanted to capture it.

The Battle for Cuddalore

After the British had lost Madras, a city in India, a British naval group left the area. This gave the French a chance to attack Cuddalore. The French leader, Joseph François Dupleix, decided to try and capture the town.

French Plans and Forces

Dupleix was helped by another French commander, Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais. They gathered a strong force for the attack. This force included 800 European soldiers and 1,000 Indian soldiers, known as sepoys.

On the morning of June 17, Dupleix and his army marched from Pondicherry. They arrived at the hills near Bandapolam, which was about three miles from Cuddalore. Dupleix planned to surprise the British by attacking at night.

British Preparation and Strategy

However, the British were warned about the French advance. Major Stringer Lawrence was in charge of the British forces. He had just arrived in India in January 1748. He had also created the first regular army group for the East India Company in that region.

Lawrence had only about 400 men, much fewer than the French. To trick the French, he made a clever plan. He removed the soldiers and guns from Cuddalore and moved them to Fort St. David. This made the French think the British could not defend Cuddalore.

The Night Attack

When night came, Major Lawrence led his men and their guns back into Cuddalore. They were ready and waiting. Just as the French attacked at midnight, trying to place their ladders against the town walls, they were met with a strong defense.

The British fired their muskets and guns, stopping the French attack immediately. The French soldiers panicked and quickly retreated back to Pondicherry. They suffered many losses during their hasty retreat. This battle was a clear victory for the British.