Yesterdate: This day from Kolkata’s past, December 12, 1758

On this day, when The Seven Year’s War (1756–1763) was being fought in Europe, French forces under the command of Comte de Lally laid siege to Madras, which was under British rule then. The British forces were able to hold out till February 1759 when reinforcements arrived.
The French attacked the Black Town, the area of the city in which Indians lived, and a confrontation with the British forces followed. The battle remained inconclusive with causalities on both sides, but the British retreated into Fort St George and the French army morale was badly affected. A series of attacks and counter-attacks followed, with bombardments by the French. When on February 16 six ships arrived carrying 600 soldiers arrived for the British, Lally ended the siege. The victory helped the British to consolidate power in India.