Enough for today--I'll look for deBruno tomorrow.

AI Overview

Joseph François Dupleix, Governor-General of French India (1742-1754), attempted to expand French influence into Burma by allying with the

Mon people against the Burmese, sending envoy Sieur de Bruno in 1751 to forge closer ties and secure military assistance for the Mon. Bruno successfully established an alliance, but Dupleix's requests for French troops were denied by the French court due to shifting priorities (like the Seven Years' War), ultimately hindering French expansion into Burma and leading to Dupleix's recall from India in 1754. Dupleix's Burmese Venture (c. 1750s)

The Opportunity: A Mon envoy sought French aid against the dominant Burmese kingdom (Konbaung Dynasty).

The Strategy: Dupleix saw this as a chance to expand French power beyond India and sent Sieur de Bruno to the Mon capital, Pegu.

Bruno's Success: Bruno secured an alliance with the Mon and even convinced them to reject British overtures for land in the region (Negrais Island).

French Government's Role: Despite Bruno's reports of the potential to control the Irrawaddy Delta, the French government, focused on European conflicts, refused to send the needed troops.

Outcome: The lack of support and Dupleix's eventual recall ended French prospects for influence in Burma, allowing the Burmese kingdom to consolidate its power.

Context: Dupleix in India

Dupleix was a visionary French administrator aiming for French supremacy in India against the British East India Company, engaging in the Carnatic Wars.

His policies often involved interfering in Indian politics and building armies of native sepoys.

His ambitious, costly policies and rivalries with the British led to his recall and ruin, despite initial successes.

Joseph François Dupleix - Wikiwand

Jan 14, 2018 — In 1750 the Subadar of Deccan gifted the Alamparai Fort to the French. This was a token of his appreciation of the ser... Wikiwand

Sieur de Bruno - Wikipedia

Envoy in Burma ... A few years later, a Mon envoy visited Dupleix requesting French help in the fight against the Burmese. Dupleix... Wikipedia