Consider the following statements with respect to the French advent in India. 1. French East India company established its first factory in India at Masulipatnam in 1669. 2. Pondicherry was developed by the French after acquiring a small village in south India. 3. Anglo- French conflict began after the arrival of French Governor Dupleix. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

· Statement 1 is incorrect: The French East India Company was formed by Colbert under the patronage of the state in 1664. The first French factory was established at Surat by Francois Caron in 1668 and later another factory was set up at Masulipatnam in 1669. · Statement 2 is correct: In 1673 a small village was acquired from the muslim Governor of Valikakondapuram by the French EIC and then it is developed into Pondicherry. Later Chandernagore in Bengal was acquired from the Mughal Governor in 1690. · Statement 3 is correct: The arrival of Dupleix in India in 1742 saw the beginning of AngloFrench rivalry. Dupleix besieged Madras, in 1746 both by land and sea which resulted in the Carnatic wars from 1746 to 1760.