They had a twofold value in war: one as offering military positions for such a power: the other a commercial value, either as adding to one's own resources or diminishing those of the enemy.

War directed against them may be considered as a war upon commerce, and the islands themselves as ships or convoys loaded with enemy's wealth.
They will be found therefore changing hands like counters, and usually restored when peace comes; though the final result was to leave most of them in the hands of England.

Nevertheless, the fact of each of the great powers having a share in this focus of commerce drew thither both large fleets and small squadrons, a tendency aided by the unfavorable seasons for military operations on the continent; and in the West Indies took place the greater number of the fleet-actions that illustrated this long series of wars.
[Illustration: PENINSULA OF INDIA AND CEYLON.] In yet another remote region was the strife between England and France to be waged, and there, as in North America, finally decided by these wars.

In India, the rival nations were represented by their East India companies, who directly administered both government and commerce.
Back of them, of course, were the mother-countries; but in immediate contact with the native rulers were the presidents and officers appointed by the companies.

At this time the principal settlements of the English were,--on the west coast, Bombay; on the east, Calcutta upon the Ganges, at some distance from the sea, and Madras; while a little south of Madras another town and station, known generally to the English as Fort St.David, though sometimes called Cuddalore, had been established later.