Some unpublished Documents relating to the French in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa (1784‑87)

Summary

Drawing on twenty‑five archival documents from the Muzaffarpur Collectorate, Hari Ranjan Ghosal reconstructs Anglo‑French relations in eastern India after the Treaty of Versailles. The documents include letters from the French factory at Patna, petitions in Persian and Kaithi, and British circulars issued from Fort William. They reveal friction over customs duties, jurisdiction and flag rights: the French argued that duties levied by the East India Company violated treaty provisions, insisted on exercising authority within their factories, and sought permission to hoist the French tricolour, while British officials upheld their own jurisdiction. Petitions from weavers of North Bihar complain about French agents’ practices, illustrating competition between European powers for local labour. Ghosal summarises each document, providing context and analysis. He notes that the years 1784‑87 saw continued Anglo‑French distrust despite the formal peace of Versailles; both sides tried to secure commercial advantages in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The article illuminates how colonial rivalries affected local economies and highlights the role of Indian intermediaries—gomastas, weavers and petition writers—in mediating conflicts. By making these documents available with commentary, Ghosal contributes primary material for further research on late‑eighteenth‑century colonial interactions.