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 ?

Joseph François Dupleix was the first European to systematically intervene in Indian princes’ succession disputes to secure territorial gains. As Governor-General of French India (1742–1754) he pioneered indirect rule by installing puppet rulers and trained Indian soldiers in European methods, thereby using local quarrels as a means to expand French influence and territory [1]. His diplomacy in the Carnatic wars—manipulating nawabs and promises of territory—further demonstrates this policy of intervention for territorial advantage [2]. The subsequent Treaty of Pondicherry (1755), which obliged the French and English not to interfere in Indian princes’ quarrels, implicitly acknowledges such prior interference by Dupleix and others [3].

Sources

1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: The Colonial Era in India > The French: colonial ambitions > p. 90
2. [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 3: Advent of the Europeans in India > Dupleix as a Master of Diplomacy > p. 47
3. [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 16: The Coming of the Europeans > Clive in the Second Carnatic War > p. 257