The Battle of Plassey
The Battle of Plassey was a pivotal event in the history of British rule in India. Here’s how it unfolded:
- After the death of Alivardi Khan in 1756, Sirajuddaulah ascended to the position of Nawab of Bengal.
- The East India Company, fearing Sirajuddaulah’s power, sought a puppet ruler who would grant trade concessions and other privileges.
- Sirajuddaulah, angered by the Company’s interference, demanded they cease meddling in his affairs, dismantle fortifications, and pay owed revenues.
- When negotiations failed, Sirajuddaulah marched with his army to capture the English factory at Kassimbazar and then Calcutta.
- Company officials from Madras sent forces led by Robert Clive to counter Sirajuddaulah’s advances.
- After prolonged negotiations, in 1757, Clive led the Company’s army against Sirajuddaulah at Plassey.
- One of the main reasons for Sirajuddaulah’s defeat was the betrayal of his commander, Mir Jafar, who sided with Clive in exchange for the promise of becoming nawab.
- The Battle of Plassey marked a significant victory for the Company and paved the way for its expansion in India.
- Following the battle, Sirajuddaulah was assassinated, and Mir Jafar was made the nawab.
- Despite being unwilling to directly administer territories, the Company realized it needed more control to ensure trade interests.
- After several shifts in nawabs, in 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the Company as the Diwan of Bengal, granting it control over revenue collection.
- This appointment allowed the Company to use Bengal’s vast revenue resources to finance its operations, marking a significant shift in its economic strategy.
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