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The history of the French in India has received far less scholarly attention than that of other European nations; English historiography, in particular, has often treated it as no more than a preliminary to the extension of British power. In addition, work hitherto has tended to focus on the trade with Europe, not the Asian trade - the 'country trade' carried on within Asia; the full importance of this trade for the Dutch and British is now being recognised. This book represents the first sustai