SUMMARY I Akbar’s expansion of his empire in Gujarat and Bengal facilitating his contact with European trading companies and the establishment of Dutch and English settlements with the consent of Akbar and Jahangir are narrated During the corresponding period how the Nayak rule in south India, especially the Nayak kingdoms in Madurai, Thanjavur and Senji had come about, are explained. Dutch Settlement in Pulicat with the permission of Nayak king in Senji is pointed out Shivaji stalling Aurangzeb’s ambitious plans to extend his influence in south India and his victory over the Nayak rulers of Senji and Thanjavur facilitating Maratha rule in Thanjavur are highlighted The establishment of successor states after the death of Aurangzeb, the moving of the Dutch from Pulicat to Nagapattinam, and the English moving from Surat to Bombay are dealt with The economic condition of India during the period of survey of political developments ( - ), with focus on cotton cultivation in the field of agriculture, weaving in manufacturing sector and merchant groups involved in overseas trade are explained Advent of Europeans and their collaboration with Indian merchants, laying the foundation for building a trading empire by the English are traced Lally wanted Bussy to come from Hyderabad to help him to defend Pondicherry in the case of attack. Bussy left Hyderabad and joined Lally. In Deccan the political situation changed quickly and the French lost both Rajahmundry ( ) and Masulipatam ( ).
Salabat Jung, the Nizam of Hyderabad, without fighting a battle signed an agreement with the British. The Nizam transferred Masulipatam and Northern Circars from the French to the English. The combined forces of Bussy and Lally captured Kanchipuram and proceeded to take Madras. As the British were busy in Bengal, Madras had only about Englishmen and Indian soldiers.
The Siege of Madras began on December . The French could not progress till February , but both sides suffered casualties. The French, however, could not continue with the siege as supplies were dwindling. Meanwhile General Pocock brought a fleet to the relief of Madras.
Lally was forced to lift the siege and fall