Napoleon Bonaparte, propelled by an ambitious spirit, held a profound fascination for the Orient since his early years. His extensive knowledge of the region, coupled with his admiration for Alexander the Great’s exploits in Asia, shaped his interest. However, his specific focus on India materialized around 1798 during the Egyptian expedition, driven by the goal of challenging Britain, the foremost adversary of the French empire, and disrupting the growing British trade with India.
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Before departing for Egypt, Napoleon informed the Directoire of his plans to establish diplomatic relations with Indian princes upon gaining control of Egypt. His strategic vision encompassed collaborating with these princes to launch a joint offensive against the British in their Indian territories. Significantly, he expressed a strong interest in forming an alliance with the forces of Tipu Sultan, with the aim of aiding him in expelling the British from India.
