If France was so strong, why the hell did they spend over a hundred years fumbling around against an island kingdom with a fraction of their manpower and territory?

England had what, maybe 1/4 the population of France
No real home advantage, had to cross the Channel every time, constantly underfunded, and still managed to absolutely clown France at places like Agincourt and Crécy.

I heard about the Hundred Years War and thought:

"Wait... this is the mighty medieval military power everyone brags about?"

It made me seriously question whether France was ever the dominant military force people claim

India never enslaved other continents. Never nuked civilians. Never started two world wars.

Poor? America is literally crawling with homeless people. Ever seen LA? At least in India people don't drop dead from fentanyl on the sidewalk.

And the caste system? It's basically irrelevant now. Nobody gives a shit outside a few rural pockets. At least thet still have some social mobility.

Meanwhile in the West, you live under a capitalist caste system with a fresh coat of "reedom" paint. Westerns call it freedom, but most people just live paycheck to paycheck, drowning in rent and credit card debt until they die. Yes, corporate elites are just hereditary aristocrats in suits.