Medieval Deccan: Reflections Through the Lives of Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix

Abstract

This article brings to the forefront an underexamined aspect of French Indian history. Scholars have researched on various aspects of French imperialism in India, but one aspect which remains outside the purview of many is the role played by European women who accompanied their husbands overseas. This article studies Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix and highlights their functions towards the fostering of the French colonial policy. Although indirect in many ways, they in a way contributed to the ongoing projects of the French Company. Consequently, this article seeks to present a holistic view of Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix. In doing so, mostly French sources have been used, accompanied by a Tamil source. Although there are differences between these two women, one aspect remains clear, which is their adoration for the French Company. The sacrifices they had to endure were immeasurable. The difference in time periods (seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, respectively) also had a very imperative role to play in the lives of Madame Martin and Madame Dupleix.