First European to intervene in Indian princes’ quarrels — UPSC Prelims PYQ...
Who among the following was the first European to initiate the policy of taking part in the quarrels of Indian princes with a view to acquire territories?
- Clive
- Dupleix
- Albuquerque
- Warren Hastings
Explanation
Option (b) is correct
- Joseph Francois Dupleix, Governor-General of French India (1742–1754), was the first European official to systematically intervene in Indian succession disputes to expand French power. He pioneered the use of trained Indian sepoys and strategic alliances in regions like the Carnatic and Hyderabad to secure indirect territorial control.
Answer: (b) Dupleix
