ITPH and WI: India, late 1740's

While looking for what might be a good PoD circa 1747, when I found there were quite a few major events that pertained to India around this time:

*First Carnatic War (1746-48)
*The Assassination of Nadir Shah of Persia (who had invaded and devastated the Mughals) in 1747
*The Loya Jirga that raised Ahmad Abdali to Emir of Afghanistan (who subsequently invaded India) that same year
*death (by natural causes) of Maratha Emperor Chhattrapati Shahu in 1749

My question here -- what (Indian) PoD in all of this would have the most immediate impact on the sub-continent, creating the greatest difference in the political context by, say, 1756 and 1757? From there, how would Indian history be affected?
(Oh, and before anyone complains, I've used the acronym "ITPH" before.)
 
I would conclude that the Outcome of the 1st Carnatic War being different would probably result in the most different outcomes in the Anglo-Franco Indian Rivalry.
However if the Emperor of the Maratha Empire survives just long enough to last until the end of the war, the Empire might still be strong enough to push the British out of Bengal, leaving an overall draw in the seven years war (French India, British America).
 
I would conclude that the Outcome of the 1st Carnatic War being different would probably result in the most different outcomes in the Anglo-Franco Indian Rivalry.
However if the Emperor of the Maratha Empire survives just long enough to last until the end of the war, the Empire might still be strong enough to push the British out of Bengal, leaving an overall draw in the seven years war (French India, British America).

So if Emperor Chhattrapati lived another decade, Clive's expedition would have gone very differently? I can see that. As to the First Carnatic War, if anyone here knows anything about it, I'm curious as to when its major turning points were...
 
So if Emperor Chhattrapati lived another decade, Clive's expedition would have gone very differently? I can see that. As to the First Carnatic War, if anyone here knows anything about it, I'm curious as to when its major turning points were...

The death of the Maratha Emperor was not that important. The real power was wielded by Peshwas, the hereditary Prime Ministers. It was the untimely death of the very able Peshwa Narayana Rao in his early twenties that dealt a great blow to the fortunes of the Maratha Empire.
 
The death of the Maratha Emperor was not that important. The real power was wielded by Peshwas, the hereditary Prime Ministers. It was the untimely death of the very able Peshwa Narayana Rao in his early twenties that dealt a great blow to the fortunes of the Maratha Empire.

Ah, I see; and by then, it's the 1770's, so it's well outside the OP. So what does that leave?

Well, someone mentioned the First Carnatic War, but aside from the French taking Madras, only to give it up in the peace, I don't really know many events to play with there. I also found that Robert Clive attempted suicide in 1744, and certainly if that had worked Indian history would be profoundly affected. According to one TL, in fact, it may be the key to a French India -- though now I find myself reading the outlines of this world, and wondering if there wouldn't be some way for the French Empire to establish direct control over (Southern) India the way the British did OTL in 1857?
 
Nadir Shah's survival would be very interesting. I don't think he could do any more conquering, but I think I have read he had some very interesting reforms in mind.
 
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