Carnatic Treaty

[[File:Major-General the Hon. Arthur Wellesley being received in durbar at the Chepauk Palace Madras by Azim al-Daula Nawab of the Carnatic 18th February 1805.jpg|thumb|Nawab [[Azim-ud-Daula]] and Major-General Arthur Wellesley sign the Carnatic Treaty at Chepauk Palace.

]] The Carnatic Treaty was signed on 26 July 1801. It is a treaty between the Nawab of Arcot and the East India Company. It is one of the treaties by which the British Empire acquired its rule over the Indian subcontinent or later known as British India. The treaty entailed that the Nawab was to cede the districts of North Arcot, South Arcot, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Tirunelveli to the company, and transfer all the administrative powers to it.

Background
The treaty resulted in the liquidation of all the local chieftains of Tamil Nadu and The East India Company assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu. The Palayakkarar system came to an end as they had to demolish all forts and disband their armies. It resulted in the Company having full command over the region.

Consequences
Based on the terms of the treaty, the Nawab of Arcot (sometimes called the Nawab of the Carnatic) ceded all his lands to British rule, including the territory of the polygars. He was retained one-fifth of the revenues of the country, amounting to 12 lakhs p.a in exchange.