<P> In 1808, Napoleon and Czar Alexander met at the Congress of Erfurt to preserve the Russo - French alliance . The leaders had a friendly personal relationship after their first meeting at Tilsit in 1807 . By 1811, however, tensions had increased and Alexander was under pressure from the Russian nobility to break off the alliance . A major strain on the relationship between the two nations became the regular violations of the Continental System by the Russians, which led Napoleon to threaten Alexander with serious consequences if he formed an alliance with Britain . </P> <P> By 1812, advisers to Alexander suggested the possibility of an invasion of the French Empire and the recapture of Poland . On receipt of intelligence reports on Russia's war preparations, Napoleon expanded his Grande Armée to more than 450,000 men . He ignored repeated advice against an invasion of the Russian heartland and prepared for an offensive campaign; on 24 June 1812 the invasion commenced . </P> <P> In an attempt to gain increased support from Polish nationalists and patriots, Napoleon termed the war the Second Polish War--the First Polish War had been the Bar Confederation uprising by Polish nobles against Russia in 1768 . Polish patriots wanted the Russian part of Poland to be joined with the Duchy of Warsaw and an independent Poland created . This was rejected by Napoleon, who stated he had promised his ally Austria this would not happen . Napoleon refused to manumit the Russian serfs because of concerns this might provoke a reaction in his army's rear . The serfs later committed atrocities against French soldiers during France's retreat . </P> <P> The Russians avoided Napoleon's objective of a decisive engagement and instead retreated deeper into Russia . A brief attempt at resistance was made at Smolensk in August; the Russians were defeated in a series of battles, and Napoleon resumed his advance . The Russians again avoided battle, although in a few cases this was only achieved because Napoleon uncharacteristically hesitated to attack when the opportunity arose . Owing to the Russian army's scorched earth tactics, the French found it increasingly difficult to forage food for themselves and their horses . </P>

Who amongst the following has called the napoleon of india