Cite
MLA
“French capture of Madras.” Hindu History, 2026, https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/french-capture-of-madras-1746/. Accessed .
APA
Hindu History. (2026). French capture of Madras. Retrieved , from https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/french-capture-of-madras-1746/
Madras surrendered after a short bombardment and stayed in French hands until 1749.
01A weak fort
Madras had grown up around Fort St George since 1640, and by the 1740s it was a large trading town of weavers, merchants and the temples of Mylapore and George Town. Its defences were weak and its garrison small. The British squadron that might have protected it sailed away. In September 1746 La Bourdonnais landed French and African troops from Mauritius south of the town and opened fire with his ships and batteries.
02Surrender and quarrel
After a few days’ bombardment, with little loss of life, Governor Morse surrendered. La Bourdonnais agreed to give the town back for a ransom. Dupleix, governor at Pondicherry, refused to honour the bargain, kept Madras and paraded the English officials as prisoners at Pondicherry. Robert Clive, a writer in the Company’s service, escaped in disguise to Fort St David and soon after took up soldiering. The French held Madras until it was returned under the peace of 1748.
The fall of Madras brought the Nawab of Arcot into the war and, through Clive’s escape, set the future victor of Plassey on his path.
