INTRODUCTION
In this article , we would discuss British conquest of Bengal . Bengal during British period was administratively one of the largest Mughal provinces which contributed almost 50% of the total revenue generated by the Mughal Empire . Bengal was a prosperous province where agriculture and trade both flourished . Bengal was an active site of trade and commerce which happened both through the overland route and the oceanic route . However , between 1730s to 1750s the significance of the overland trade route declined and Bengal became more dependent on the oceanic trade w.r.t the European traders . Because of frequent plunders , overland trade and commerce route became unsafe . So , Bengals’ trade increased more with Europeans .
BRITISH CONQUEST OF BENGAL – POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION
In 1717 , Murshid Quli Khan got himself appointed as the governor of Bengal and saw an opportunity to establish his autonomous rule while maintaining nominal links with central Mughal authority . Between 1719 to 1727 , under Murshid Quli Khan , Bengal continued to transfer revenue to central Mughal authority . Under him – Coins were minted in the names of central Mughal ruler and Friday prayers were offered in the name of central Mughal ruler . However , Murshid Quli asserted his autonomy on vital matters such as appointment of key administrative officials including Jagirdars . These activities were carried out by Murshid Quli Khan without any major consultation with central Mughal ruler .
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After Murshid Quli Khan , shuja-ud-din ruled Bengal for a brief period of 1A727 to 1739 . He was son-in-law of Murshid Quli Khan. Between 1739 – 1740 , an incapable son of Murshid Quli khan that is Sarfaraz khan , ruled. He was later killed by Alivardi khan ( one of the military commanders ) . During 1740s , Alivardi khan emerged as the Nawab of Bengal and his rise to prominence was supported by the Jagat Seth Brothers ( JSBs ) . Jagat seth brothers were the biggest merchant bankers of Bengal ( They used to lend money to people and had huge chunk of money ) . The jagat seth brothers were also prominent nobles in the court of Alivardi khan . It is also important here to note that , Jagat seth brothers had a close trading relationship with British East India company .
Under the rule of Alivardi khan ( between 1740 to 1756 ) , Bengal broke all nominal links with central Mughal ruler , Bengal stopped paying revenue to central Mughal authority . Coins were no more minted in the name of central Mughal ruler , Friday prayer offerings in the name of Central Mughal ruler was also stopped . In 1756 , Alivardi khan died and a succession dispute emerged between Alivardi khans’ daughter ( Ghasiti Begum ) and his grandson ( Siraj-ud-Daula) 1756 to 1757 was a brief period of tussle between Ghasiti Begum and Siraj-ud-Daula . But Siraj emerged victorious and became Nawab of Bengal in 1757 .
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Now in order to understand the Battle of Plassey of 1757 , Battle of Buxar of 1764 and Treaty of Allahabad of 1765 , let us first understand the major players who were present at that time in Bengal .The first player was Siraj himself who became Nawab of Bengal in 1757 . Second player were Jagat seth brothers , who were biggest merchant bankers of Bengal and had close trading relations with British East India company (BEIC ) . Third player was British East India company . BEIC was a Private trading company . The BEIC at that time was only interested in Trading / Economic activities . It is also important here to note that Britain at that time had allowed only BEIC to trade with Asia , including India and China . No other British company was allowed . Fourth and the last player was French East India Company ( FEIC ) . FEIC was a government owned company ( BEIC was private ) . There was an Imperial rivalry between government of Britain and France . Also , there was a trading rivalry between BEIC and FEIC because both of them wanted to have monopoly in trade with East that is with India and china ( because trade was highly profitable ) .
BRITISH CONQUEST OF BENGAL – WAR BACKGROUND
During 1757 , BEIC wanted monopoly over trade with Bengal . It basically meant that BEIC wanted that FEIC must not be there . The Jagat seth brothers were in favour of granting monopoly to BEIC . Jagat seth brothers asked Siraj ( nawab of Bengal at that time ) to allow monopoly to BEIC . Sirajs’ response – He rejected the advice of JSBs . Siraj also saw this effort of JSBs as an attempt to erode his authority and hence he refused to grant a trading monopoly to BEIC . Instead Siraj went one step ahead and favoured the presence of FEIC . After this , JSBs advised BEIC to challenge the authority of Siraj by taking 2 steps – JSBs advised BEIC to grant refuge to the fugitives wanted by Sirajs’ court . JSBs also advised to fortify and bring in arms in their trading position / place of BEIC in Bengal . BEIC took both the steps.
In retaliation Siraj launched a military offensive against BEIC’s fort at Calcutta and Kasim Bazar . Siraj imprisoned BEIC officials within the fort and the officials remained within the four walls and died for not consuming food and water . This is termed as BLACK HOLE TRAGEDY . Following Black Hole Tragedy , under the leadership of ROBERT CLIVE the British army from Hyderabad state was dispatched to Bengal to launch a military offensive against Siraj . This led to Battle of Plassey of 1757.
BATTLE OF PLASSEY OF 1757 – BRITISH CONQUEST OF BENGAL
Prominent military commander of Siraj was Mir jafar . When Siraj ordered to wage war , almost half of the Sirajs’ army refused to obey the order . Why ? Because Mir Jafar had sided with Jagat seth brothers and BEIC because he had an offer of becoming the next nawab of Bengal . Siraj surrendered and thus the Battle of Plassey ended in a humiliating defeat of Siraj .
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CAUSES OF BATTLE OF PLASSEY OF 1757
A young and inexperienced Siraj when came to power in 1756 , had to face an emerging nexus between the powerful Jagat seth brothers and British east India company ( BEIC ) . BEIC and FEIC ( French East India company ) had a major trading rivalry . Imperial rivalry between government of Britain and France . There was a desire of Jagat Seth brothers to extend their political control over policies of Bengal , it further fuelled the crisis. The immediate cause of Battle of Plassey was the punitive actions taken by Siraj against BEIC which led to Black hole tragedy . Siraj’s insistence to maintain French trading presence in the region further precipitated the matter .
CONSEQUENCES OF BATTLE OF PLASSEY OF 1757
Following the humiliating defeat of Siraj , he was removed from the throne . On the place of Siraj , Mir Jafar was appointed as the Nawab of Bengal . Once Mir Jafar was appointed then began the PLASSEY PLUNDER