In the history of colonial conflicts in India, in which of the following battles were the French forces completely defeated by the English, ending their major political ambitions in India?

Introduction / Context:

During the eighteenth century, European powers fought several battles in India to control trade and territory. The French and the British East India Company were major rivals. One important question in modern Indian history is which battle effectively ended the French challenge and confirmed British supremacy. This question asks you to identify the battle in which the French were completely defeated by the English in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are considering battles involving French and English forces in India.
• Options include the Battle of Wandiwash, Battle of Buxar, Battle of Plassey, and Battle of Adyar.
• We look for the battle that decisively broke French power.

Concept / Approach:

Although the French participated in several conflicts, the clear and final blow to their political and military ambitions in India came during the Third Carnatic War. The key engagement of that war was the Battle of Wandiwash in seventeen sixty, where the British under Sir Eyre Coote defeated the French forces. Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar were more focused on Indian rulers and the British, with the French not being the central defeated party. Battle of Adyar was an earlier engagement in the Carnatic region but not the ultimate decisive defeat.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

History books describing the Carnatic Wars explicitly state that the British victory at Wandiwash sealed the fate of French power in India. Treaties signed after this battle limited French possessions to trading posts without political control. This is why exam questions often refer to Wandiwash as the battle where the French were completely defeated by the English in India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Battle of Plassey in seventeen fifty seven resulted in British control over Bengal but did not involve a final defeat of the French.

Battle of Buxar in seventeen sixty four consolidated British authority in northern India but again focused on Indian rulers, not the French.

Battle of Adyar was an earlier battle but did not end French political ambitions across India.

Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes pick Plassey or Buxar because these battles are very famous. However, the question is specifically about the French being completely defeated by the English, which points directly to Wandiwash in the Carnatic Wars.

Final Answer:

The French were completely defeated by the English in India in the Battle of Wandiwash.