Originally built for the French East India Company, she was purchased by the Navy and saw service during the War of American Independence Indien was built for the French East India Company at Lorient, and entered service for her first commercial journey in January 1769.

After the collapse of the Company, the French Navy purchased in April 1770, and recommissioned her as a 68-gun ship of the line.

[1] Indien took part in the Battle of Ushant on 27 July 1778, under La Grandière,[3][4] as the lead ship in the 3rd Division of the White-and-Blue squadron of the French fleet.

[1] Captained by Laubépine, she was later attached to the combined French-Spanish fleet under Córdova.

[1] After returning to France, Indien was condemned in Toulon in 1783.