INDO-FRENCH DIPLOMATIC PROJECTS: FIVE LETTERS OF CHEVALIER TO MADEC AND THATTA BAKAR PROJECT

Abstract

Indo-French diplomatic projects during the second half of the eighteenth century are a fascinating theme although not fully researched by historians due to lack of translated material available. This article tries to fill this lacuna with analyzing the rare facets of diplomatic projects through the correspondence of five letters between Chevalier and Madec. Attempt has been made to clear the ambiguities attached to the diplomatic project such as Thatta Project, made between French adventurers and Mughal inorder to counter the growing British colonial expansion. Despite the failure of these projects due to numerous reasons, still they remained an significant piece of information which highlights the political diplomatic efforts between Indo-French authorities, where French adventurers played an crucial role in these projects.