siege siege siege colonial military operation early stages french revolutionary wars britain france controlled colonies declared war britain february sides prepared conflict india centred principal ports bombay madras calcutta administered french india governed modern british forces india considerably stronger french supported british_army detachments royal_navy squadron rear admiral defenses strong garrison small effectively man walls french frigate squadron stationed distant unable effectively protect french indian coast news outbreak war took months reach indian_ocean british forces recently engaged anglo war preparation immediately seized ports french india able resist siege instigated august colonel imposed naval blockade british forces constructed trenches batteries heavy fire following weeks days city cut began bombardment defences hours french commander colonel requested truce followed morning surrender background great_britain largest colonial power administration based port calcutta supported cities madras bombay network subsidiary coastal trading stations administration largely delegated maintained standing supported detachments regular british_army force heavily engaged anglo war naval support provided squadron rear admiral frigate blockaded war french military position india considerably weaker british significant investment colonies outbreak seven years war french held number small trading ports including important colony close madras fortified extensive modern defences designed garrison far small effectively man walls face determined siege french_navy presence indian_ocean outbreak war comprised frigates based india distant modern mauritius tensions europe steadily mounting french revolution french revolutionary wars began war new austrian great_britain initially engaged conflict diplomatic relations france rapidly deteriorating february shortly execution deposed king declared war britain long distances involved took months news outbreak war reach india passing british consul alexandria june news arrived madras passed calcutta june governor general india lord issued instructions operations territories french india lord brother william originally intended participate surrender seized french merchant ship eventually siege admiral anchored dutch ceylon learned outbreak war june immediately gave orders sail placed blockade shortly afterward captured merchant ship carrying ammunition supplies french port brief stop madras accompanying east captured french leaving july seized snow roads july july sails appeared southeast assuming belonged reinforcements investigation ship proved gun smaller vessels carrying supplies unit reinforce garrison closing french frigate discovered ships supporting blockade scattered delay gathering successfully escaped pursuit land army madras placed command colonel assembling forces marched occupying southwest south cutting garrison supporting city july reached city established positions red hill overlooking sending demand commander colonel surrender demand refused ordered detachments regiments foot occupy positions south city walls july manoeuvre prompted heavy fire planned launch main assault northeast corner defences weaker ground drier attempts establish batteries west north city efforts hampered heavy rain delaying construction defensive earthworks allowed garrison maintain constant fire work parties suffered consequent casualties fire especially heavy siege lines north city easily targeted french gunners august operations establish batteries continued days losses mounted august lieutenant colonel chief engineer killed cannon fire returning night inspection trenches night august main battery known royal battery came heavy damaged repairs successful morning august battery pounder long guns opened return fire city hours shots french defenses opposite fell silent return fire coming distant flanking batteries british fire intensified noon battery mortars opened bombardment flags truce raised city offer requested negotiate terms allowed following morning time construction british earthworks continue isolated accepted terms following morning army entered city took possession french garrison seized liquor supplies night drunk formally surrender aftermath british losses siege killed wounded relatively heavy french casualties recorded thought defenders exposed british fire day bombardment captured city french soldiers guns varying sizes materials substantial quantities ammunition french indian colonies surrendered summoned conflict assuring british dominance european powers noted british naval forces unusually weak period warship active operations french managed concentrate forces region considerably extended siege caused considerable damage british merchant shipping region french efforts recapture lost indian territories war regained terms peace
Siege of Pondicherry (1793)