Are there any other European countries, besides Britain, that could have could have conquered India?

And what does that prove? France could never attract enough settlers, Quebec being a prime example.France also had tended to let the colonies fend off for themselves, with Europe being the greatest priority. You only reinforce my point rather than disprove it.
I never disputed that France was in near constant war in Europe. I guess what I'm looking for is a solid example of the French engaging in indirect rule before establishing protectorates over Tunisia and Morocco.
 
And anyway what's the point with settling North America ?

India was not conquered by settlers but by soldiers and diplomats.

And It was not at all impossible for the french to have a 50.000 men army stationed in India and sustained by the holdings of the french EIC, and to hier local as auxiliaries, if Dupleix had kept on implementing his venture instead of being fired.

Now, would It be the same conquest domination as Britain's ?

I doubt of It because the french were less ruthless than the british. But they could take control of central and south India as well as of the Bengal.
 
Does it have to be just one other power that the displaces the British? Could there have been a partition of "Greater India", with separate British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish holdings, something more like OTL Africa? Or is that not feasible?
 
Does it have to be just one other power that the displaces the British? Could there have been a partition of "Greater India", with separate British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish holdings, something more like OTL Africa? Or is that not feasible?
Sure, we can try that. It actually sounds more interesting than one power ruling India.
 

longsword14

Banned
France could have held on and made a lot of trouble for the EIC by supporting and having the support of local rulers.
A two power standard was possible. The Dutch and Portuguese would be restricted to some outposts only.
 
France could have held on and made a lot of trouble for the EIC by supporting and having the support of local rulers.
A two power standard was possible. The Dutch and Portuguese would be restricted to some outposts only.

As I said earlier, if there are two European powers in India, there's no way Britain can dominate the subcontinent as it did IOTL. Expect a Great Game-style battle of intrigue and diplomacy as local princes align with one European power or another. Interestingly this may lead to a 19th C in which India is much like South America with local governments being aligned with European powers and commercial interests but essentially independent.
 
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