Franco-Fail (opens in new tab)

<figure> <a href="https://airmail.news/books/2026/3/franco-fail"> <img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="https://photos.airmail.news/e5i3pbw7kok3qvnllm94qhkjkhle-6079d12519218c0c71b21d358b239afe.png" /> </a> <figcaption> Joseph Dupleix, the governor of the French settlement of Pondicherry from 1742 to 1754, spearheaded France’s lackluster colonial efforts in India. </figcaption> </figure> <p>By Max Carter</p> <p><span class="drop-cap">R</span>obert Ivermee’s n...