Previous Year Question
Consider the following wars and arrange them in correct chronological order.
First Anglo-Mysore War
Second Anglo-French War
First Anglo-Sikh War
First Anglo-Afghan War
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
2, 1, 4, 3
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2, 4, 3
2, 1, 3, 4
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The correct chronological order is Second Anglo-French War → First Anglo-Mysore War → First Anglo-Afghan War → First Anglo-Sikh War.
The earliest was the Second Anglo-French War, i.e. the Second Carnatic War, fought during 1749–1754. Its background was connected with the succession disputes in Hyderabad and the Carnatic, in which the English and the French supported rival claimants.
In this conflict, the French supported Muzaffar Jung and Chanda Sahib, while the English supported Nasir Jung and Muhammad Ali. Robert Clive's capture of Arcot in 1751 played an important role in changing the course of the struggle.
Next came the First Anglo-Mysore War of 1767–1769. It was fought between Haidar Ali of Mysore and the English East India Company. In the final phase, Haidar Ali advanced close to Madras, and the war ended with the Treaty of Madras in 1769.
The third event was the First Anglo-Afghan War of 1839–1842. The British Indian Government attempted to install Shah Shuja in power in Afghanistan while Dost Mohammad Khan was displaced. The campaign ultimately became a serious military failure for the British.
The latest was the First Anglo-Sikh War of 1845–1846. Its major battles included Mudki, Ferozeshah, Aliwal and Sobraon. The war ended with the Treaty of Lahore on 9 March 1846.