Published on 02 Oct 2025
With the renewed confidence instilled in the British after the victories in European rivalries, it sought to consolidate its territories and safeguard its trade interests in the subcontinent. Bengal, which was the richest province in Mughal India proved to be the perfect arena for a power struggle in a long-drawn battle of British dominance in India. This ultimately led to British rule in India.
BENGAL
Bengal was the richest province of the empire which included the present day, Bangladesh, Bihar and Odisha. The Bengal trade was around 60% of overall British imports from Asia, but their aspirations were crippled by Nawab who sought sovereignty.
Battle of Plassey
The Battle of Plassey was a watershed moment in India's history. It took place in 1757 between the British EIC and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. It is widely believed to have made way for British dominance in India and consequently, led to a widespread drain of wealth.
Causes of the Battle of Plassey
Political
British Insubordination: The British blatant disobedience in following the orders of Nawab was a direct attack on his authority which soured the relations.
Example: The fortification of the Fort William against the orders of Nawab
Political Intrigue: The internal rivalry led to Mir Jafar siding with the British and tactfully using the situation to dispose of Siraj-ud-daulah
Black Hole tragedy: The siege of Fort William was followed by imprisoning the prisoners in a small dingy room with poor ventilation leading to the death of many.
Asylum to Political rival: The asylum provided to the Nawab’s political fugitive, Krishna Das by the British also caused discontent.
Diplomatic and Military manoeuvre: The efforts to dislodge several factions from Nawab’s army led to the decisive victory of the British
Economic
Misuse of Dastaks: The Farman issued by Farrukhsiyar in 1717, giving the British the right to reside and trade in India was misused by them to provide custom-free trade privileges to native traders.
Bankers role: The bankers enjoyed great patronage from the British and they largely financed the war against the Nawab.
Example: The bankers such as Jagat Seth and Omichand played a vital role.
Not paying the tax: The evident disdain by the company officials to pay the taxes using the Aurangazeb’s Farman of 1690, led to the loss of revenue for Bengal.
Example: The Company paid the Mughal emperor £ 350 per year for trading freely in Bengal. But, the Company's Bengal exports were worth more than £50,000 per year.
Consequences of the Battle of Plassey
Political
Rise of British Raj: The victory over Bengal led the British to the riches of Bengal. This enabled them to establish their own rule, which laid the foundation for the British Empire in India.
Puppet rule in Bengal: The new Nawab Mir Jafar, now a puppet ruler, was too dependent on the British for protection. This completely stripped him of any sense of autonomy.
Economic
Plunder: The war reparations from Bengal came to around £275,000 each for the Navy and Army. Robert Clive even received a jagir worth £34,560.
Ruin of Indian Industries: The export from Bengal was reduced as deliberate efforts were made by the British to maintain a monopoly and maximize profits.
Example: This led to the decline of Murshidabad as an Industrial Centre.
Rise of the Landed class: The Zamindars and Bankers became a prominent class in the society who enjoyed considerable privilege from the British.
Battle of Buxar
The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764 between the British EIC and the armies of allied forces of Bengal, Mughal and Awadh. The decisive victory by the British put an end to the Mughal rule all the while reaffirming the British supremacy in India.
Causes of the Battle of Buxar
Economic
Sale of Dastak: The British used to sell free passes to the native traders which led to a considerable loss of revenue to the Nawab's exchequer
Unequal treatment of goods: The preferential treatment of British goods led to discontent among other traders as well as Nawab.
Political
Military modernization: The newly appointed Nawab belied the expectations of the British modernised the armed forces and developed a disciplined army taking the help of other foreign powers.
Handing over of fugitive: The deputy governor of Bihar, Ram Narayan was forced to be given to Nawab’s custody on his insistence on a revenue dispute. This elevated his position.
Assertion of Autonomy: Nawab fed up with the constant intervention of the British sought to increase their autonomy even though it was met with criticism from the British
Example: Mir Qasim immediately after ascension shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger.
Abolishment of duties: The Nawab couldn’t curb the misuse of trade passes leading to a loss of revenue and an unequal trade situation in Britain's favour. This led to Nawab revoking duties for all and not just to the British.
Consequences of the Battle of Buxar
Political
British supremacy: The Treaty of Allahabad post-war secured a lucrative position to the British and the defeat of other European powers led to the dominance of the British in India.
Return of Mir Jafar: After overthrowing Mir Qasim, the natural choice fell to the subjugative Mir Jafar who ceded more territories to the British in exchange for the throne.
Dual rule in Bengal: The new system established by Robert Clive divided the responsibilities of political administration (Nizamat) in the hands of Nawab and kept the revenue administration (Diwaniyat) for themselves.
End of Mughal power: The defeat of the combined armies of Bengal, Awadh and Mughal reaffirmed British supremacy and reduced the position of the Mughals considerably. Henceforth, the Mughals played a minor role as the monarch of India.
Economic
British trade: The British secured duty-free trade from Bengal except for the 2% tax levied on the salt. This made the position of the British more powerful.
Ruin of Bengal: As the company asserted a monopoly of trade the native traders lost their livelihood. Even the deliberate efforts made by the British to ruin the industries led to the decline of the economy.
Example: The ruin of the textile industry to reduce Indian exports and to make it into a market.
Impoverishment of Peasantry: The rampant corruption by company officials and steady drain of wealth led to poor investment in India and led to neglect of the people’s needs.
History & Culture
BRITISH EXPANSION OF INDIA BENGAL
Battle of Plassey
Siraj-ud-Daulah
Nawab of Bengal
Causes of the Battle of Plassey
Fort William
Mir Jafar
Black Hole tragedy
Krishna Das
Misuse of Dastaks
Farrukhsiyar farman
Jagat Seth
omichand
Battle of Buxar
Causes of the Battle of Buxar
mughal
awadh
Ram Narayan
mir Qasim
Consequences of the Battle of Buxar
Dual rule in Bengal
Nizamat
Diwaniyat
General Studies Paper 1
Modern Indian History
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