In Bengal
Modern History – Exam-Oriented Quick Revision Notes
Battle of Plassey (1757)
- It was fought between the East India Company force led by Robert Clive and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal.
- Mir Jafar, the military commander of Siraj-ud-Daulah, joined hands with the British.
- This battle confirmed the formal beginning of British Empire in India.
Exam Point:
Battle of Plassey = 1757
Outcomes of Battle of Plassey
- Siraj-ud-Daulah was killed.
- Mir Jafar was made the new puppet Nawab of Bengal.
- Subsequently, Mir Qasim, son-in-law of Mir Jafar, came to the throne.
- He shifted the capital from Murshidabad to Munger.
- Combined forces of Shuja-ud-Daulah, Mir Qasim and Shah Alam II later fought the British at the Battle of Buxar (1764).
In Bengal
Murshid Quli Khan
- 1717-1727: Murshid Quli Khan served as the first Nawab of Bengal.
- In 1717, Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar issued a Golden Farman (Magna Carta of Trade) that allowed the British East India Company to trade freely in Bengal for a yearly payment of 3,000 Rupees.
- The farman also granted the company the right to issue Dastaks, or trade permits, to move goods.
Golden Farman:
1717 – Issued by Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar.
Nawabs of Bengal
Siraj-ud-Daulah
- He became the Nawab at the age of 23 years after the death of Alivardi Khan in 1756.
- He was the last self-governing Nawab of Bengal.
- He was not happy with the trade privileges enjoyed by the Britishers in Bengal.
- Siraj-ud-Daulah captured Fort William after the British refused to stop fortifying it.
- The Black Hole Tragedy was a night of captivity for British soldiers and other prisoners in a small, airless room in Fort William, Calcutta in 1756.
- This incident instigated Robert Clive, who decided to take revenge, which led to the Battle of Plassey.
Treaty of Alinagar (1757):
It was signed between Siraj-ud-Daulah and the British and became the cause of the Battle of Plassey.
Battle of Buxar (1764)
- The combined forces of Shuja-ud-Daulah, Mir Qasim and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II fought against the British.
- The British won this battle under the leadership of Hector Munro.
- The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765.
Treaty of Allahabad (1765)
The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765 between Shuja-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and the East India Company. It was negotiated by Robert Clive on behalf of the East India Company.
First Treaty with Nawab of Awadh
- Allahabad and Kara were handed over to Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
- Nawab paid Rs 50 lakh to the British as war indemnity.
Second Treaty with Shah Alam II
- Emperor Shah Alam II was placed under British protection at Allahabad.
- Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa were given to the East India Company in return for an annual payment of Rs 26 lakh.
- The Company was to receive Rs 53 lakh from the Emperor for performing Nizamat functions in these provinces.
Important:
The control over Diwani and Nizamat functions by the East India Company is called Dual Government in Bengal.
Key Point:
Allahabad Treaty ran for 7 years and was ended by Warren Hastings in 1772.
Nawab of Awadh
Saadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk:
First Nawab of Awadh.
The fourth Nawab of Awadh, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, built Bara Imambara in Lucknow.
Quick Revision – In Bengal
| Topic | Year / Person | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Farman | 1717 – Farrukhsiyar | Trade privileges to the East India Company |
| Siraj-ud-Daulah | 1756 | Became Nawab of Bengal |
| Battle of Plassey | 1757 | Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah |
| Mir Jafar | 1757 | Became puppet Nawab of Bengal |
| Battle of Buxar | 1764 | British victory under Hector Munro |
| Treaty of Allahabad | 1765 | Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa |
| Dual Government | Diwani + Nizamat | East India Company controlled both functions |
Exam Capsule
1717:
Golden Farman issued by Farrukhsiyar.
1757:
Battle of Plassey.
1764:
Battle of Buxar.
1765:
Treaty of Allahabad and grant of Diwani rights.
Remember:
Plassey = 1757 | Buxar = 1764 | Allahabad = 1765