How Trade led to Battles
The conflict between the East India Company and the nawabs of Bengal escalated during the early 18th century due to various reasons:
- After the death of Aurangzeb, the nawabs of Bengal, like other regional powers, sought to assert their power and independence.
- Leaders such as Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan, and Sirajuddaulah became Nawabs of Bengal, each known for their strong rule.
- The nawabs refused to grant concessions to the Company, demanded hefty tributes for trading rights, and prevented the Company from minting coins or expanding its fortifications.
- They accused the Company of deceit, claiming it deprived the Bengal government of revenue and undermined their authority.
- The Company countered by stating that unjust demands hindered trade, insisting that removing duties was necessary for trade to thrive.
- The Company believed expanding settlements, purchasing villages, and fortifying structures were essential for trade expansion.
- These disputes over trade and authority ultimately led to tensions and battles between the Company and the nawabs of Bengal.
Trade in Bengal By East India Company | Class 8 History Notes
Trade-In Bengal by East India Company: According to the syllabus of NCERT Class 8, History – Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power: With the demise of Aurangzeb, the mighty Mughal Empire began to fracture, paving the way for the rise of regional powers across the Indian subcontinent. In the wake of Aurangzeb’s death in 1707, Mughal governors and influential zamindars started to assert their control, leading to the fragmentation of central authority in Delhi.
This period of political turbulence set the stage for the emergence of a new force on the horizon by the latter half of the eighteenth century. As the Mughal Empire weakened, an entity known as the East India Company began to make its mark, heralding significant shifts in trade, governance, and ultimately, the destiny of the Indian subcontinent.
Trade in Bengal By East India Company – Class-8 Notes