2. ESTABLISHMENT OF BRITISH RULE IN BENGAL

2. ESTABLISHMENT OF BRITISH RULE IN BENGAL

2.1 Battle of Plassey, 1757

• Fought on 23 June 1757 at Plassey (Palashi), Bengal, on the banks of the Bhagirathi river.
• Robert Clive (English East India Company) vs. Siraj-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal).
• Cause: Nawab's seizure of Calcutta (Black Hole incident, 1756) and Company's misuse of trade privileges (farman of 1717 from Farrukhsiyar).
• Siraj-ud-Daulah's forces (~50,000) defeated due to betrayal by Mir Jafar (Commander-in-Chief), bribed/promised the throne by Clive with help of Jagat Seth (banker) and Omichand.
• Result: Siraj-ud-Daulah killed; Mir Jafar installed as puppet Nawab; Company gained zamindari of 24 Parganas and huge financial concessions.
• Significance: Regarded as the foundation event of British political power in India; began the process of Company transforming from trading entity to territorial ruler.

2.2 From Plassey to Buxar (1757–1764)

• Mir Jafar proved unable to meet Company's financial demands → replaced by Mir Qasim (1760).
• Mir Qasim attempted to assert independence — shifted capital to Munger, reformed army, abolished duty-free trade for all (equalizing English and Indian merchants) → conflict with Company.
• Mir Qasim allied with Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh) and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II against the English.

2.3 Battle of Buxar, 1764

• Fought on 22 October 1764 at Buxar (Bihar).
• Combined forces of Mir Qasim + Shuja-ud-Daulah + Shah Alam II vs. British forces under Hector Munro.
• British decisively victorious — considered more significant than Plassey in establishing British supremacy, as it defeated a combined Indian confederacy including the Mughal Emperor.
• Treaty of Allahabad (1765) — signed by Robert Clive with Shah Alam II and Shuja-ud-Daulah:
  • Company obtained Diwani rights (right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, Odisha from Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
  • Company paid Emperor an annual tribute of Rs 26 lakh.
  • Awadh restored to Shuja-ud-Daulah (buffer state) after payment of war indemnity; Company got Allahabad & Kara (later given to Emperor).
  • Established the Dual/Dyarchy System of Government in Bengal (1765–1772): Company held Diwani (revenue collection) while the Nizamat (civil/criminal administration) remained with the Nawab (through a Deputy Diwan, e.g., Muhammad Reza Khan) — Company got power without responsibility, leading to administrative chaos and contributing to the Bengal Famine of 1770.
  • Dual system abolished by Warren Hastings in 1772, who took over direct administration ("stood forth as Diwan").

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points

• Plassey (1757): Clive vs Siraj-ud-Daulah; betrayal by Mir Jafar; foundation of British rule.
• Buxar (1764): Munro vs Mir Qasim+Shuja-ud-Daulah+Shah Alam II; more decisive than Plassey.
• Treaty of Allahabad (1765): Diwani rights of Bengal-Bihar-Odisha to Company.
• Dual Government in Bengal: 1765–1772; ended by Warren Hastings.
• Battle of Buxar established British as paramount power in eastern India, opening path to Delhi.