Battle Of Plassey 1757 - NCERT Notes on Modern Indian History for UPSC

Battle of Plassey was a major turning point in modern Indian history that led to the consolidation of British rule in India. This battle was fought between the East India Company headed by Robert Clive and the Nawab of Bengal (Siraj-Ud-Daulah) and his French Troop. This battle is often termed as the ‘decisive event’ which became the source of ultimate rule of the British in India. The battle occurred during the late reign of Mughal empire (called later Mughal Period). Mughal emperor Alamgir-II was ruling the empire when the Battle of Plassey took place.

Battle of Plassey – UPSC Notes
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A few historians, while answering the question as to when did the British rule start in India, cite the Battle of Plassey as the source. As a component of the IAS Syllabus, the Battle of Plassey is an important topic.

This article will talk about the Battle of Plassey in detail to help IAS Exam aspirants understand it for both prelims and mains (GS-I). You can also download the Battle of Plassey notes PDF from the link provided.

Watch below our YouTube Short on the Battle of Plassey:

Aspirants can check their preparation by checking the UPSC Previous Years’ Question Papers article now!!

To complement your preparation for the upcoming exam, check the following links:

Table of Contents:

What is the Battle of Plassey?
Causes of the Battle of Plassey
Who Fought the Battle of Plassey?
Effects of Battle of Plassey

What is the Battle of Plassey?

It is a battle fought between the East India Company force headed by Robert Clive and Siraj-Ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal). The rampant misuse by EIC officials of trade privileges infuriated Siraj. The continuing misconduct by EIC against Siraj-Ud-Daulah led to the battle of Plassey in 1757.

Battle of Plassey 1957 - UPSC Modern Indian History

Causes of the Battle of Plassey

Majorly, the reasons for the Battle of Plassey to take place were:

  • The rampant misuse of the trade privileges given to the British by the Nawab of Bengal
  • Non-payment of tax and duty by the workers of the British East India Company

Other reasons that supported the coming of this battle were:

  • Fortification of Calcutta by the British without the Nawab’s permission
  • Misleading Nawab on various fronts by British
  • An asylum was provided to Nawab’s enemy Krishna Das

The East India Company had a strong presence in India majorly at Fort St. George, Fort William and Bombay Castle.

The British resorted to having an alliance with the Nawabs and princes in exchange for security against any form of external and internal attack and were promised concessions in return for their safety and protection.

The problem arose when the alliance was disrupted under the rule of Nawab of Bengal (Siraj-Ud-Daulah). The Nawab started seizing the fort of Calcutta and imprisoning many British Officials in June 1756. The prisoners were kept in a dungeon at Fort William. This incident is called the Black Hole of Calcutta since only a handful of the prisoners survived the captivity where over a hundred people were kept in a cell meant for about 6 people. The East India company planned an attack and Robert Clive bribed Mir Jafar, the commander-in-chief of the Nawab’s army, and also promised him to make him Nawab of Bengal.

The Battle of Plassey was fought at Palashi, on the banks of Bhagirathi river near Calcutta on June 23, 1757.

After three hours of intense fighting, there was a heavy downpour. One of the reasons for the defeat of Nawab was the lack of planning to protect their weapons during the heavy downpour which turned the table in favour of the British army apart from the major reason being the treachery of Mir Jafar.

Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s army with 50,000 soldiers, 40 cannons and 10 war elephants was defeated by 3,000 soldiers of Robert Clive. The battle ended in 11 hours and Siraj-Ud-Daulah fled from the battle post his defeat.

According to Robert Clive, 22 men died and 50 were injured from the British troops. The Nawab army lost about 500 men, including several key officials and many of them even suffered several casualties.

In terms of the civil services exam, direct questions are rarely asked in the exam, especially, the IAS Prelims. Thus, candidates must be aware fo how the questions can be farmed based on this historically important battle.

Who Fought the Battle of Plassey?

The table below will inform the IAS aspirants to know the participants of the Battle of Plassey and their significance in the battle:

Participants of Battle of Plassey Role in the Battle of Plassey
Siraj-Ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal)
  • Involved in Black-Hole Tragedy (imprisoned 146 English persons who were lodged in a very tiny room due to which 123 of them died of suffocation)
  • Adversely affected by the rampant misuse of trade privileges by the EIC
  • Attacked and seized the English fort at Calcutta, it brought their hostility into the open
Robert Clive (EIC)
  • Gave asylum to political fugitive Krishna Das, disappointing Siraj-Ud-Daulah
  • Misuse of trade privileges
  • Fortified Calcutta without the nawab’s permission
Mir Jafar (Commander-in-Chief of Nawab’s army)
  • Bribed by East India Company (EIC)
  • Was to be made the Nawab by EIC for conspiring against Siraj-Ud-Daulah
  • Cheated Siraj-Ud-Daulah during the battle
Rai Durlabh (One of the Commanders of the Nawabs Army)
  • Joined his army with Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s but did not participate in the battle
  • Betrayed Siraj
Jagat Seth (Influential Banker)
  • Involved in the conspiracy involving the imprisonment and ultimate killing of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah
Omi Chand (Bengal Merchant)
  • One of the principal authors of the conspiracy against Nawab and associated with the treaty negotiated by Robert Clive before the Battle of Plassey in 1757

Effects of Battle of Plassey

Apart from the British getting political power of Northern India but only after Nawabs, there were several other effects in many forms that came out as a result of the Battle of Plassey. They can be categorised as:

  • Political Effects
  • Economic Effects

Political Effects

  • The Battle of Plassey resulted at the end of the French forces.
  • Mir Jafar was crowned as the Nawab of Bengal
  • Mir Jafar was unhappy with the position and instigated the Dutch to attack the British in order to consolidate his foundation.
  • Battle of Chinsura was fought between the Dutch and British forces on November 25, 1759.
  • The British installed Mir Qasim as the Nawab of Bengal.
  • The British became the paramount European power in Bengal.
  • Robert Clive was titled “Lord Clive”, Baron of Plassey and also obtained a seat in the British House of Commons.

Economic Effects

  • The economy of India was affected severely.
  • Post the victory, the British started imposing severe rules and regulations on the inhabitants of Bengal in the name of tax collection.

Aspirants should keep in mind to practise previous years’ questions asked in both prelims and mains examinations. To practise UPSC History Questions from Mains, one can check the linked article.

Also, get acquainted with the importance of this battle from the UPSC Mains perspective.

After Battle of Plassey, there were various other battles fought, which aspirants can read about for UPSC 2024, in the linked articles below:

Battle of Buxar First Anglo-Maratha War Second Anglo-Maratha War
Third Anglo-Maratha War First & Second Anglo-Mysore Wars NCERT notes on third & fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars

UPSC Preparation:

IAS Toppers Marks Subject Wise UPSC Calendar 2024
Documents Required for UPSC Exam Language Papers in UPSC – Tips to Study
UPSC Admit Card IAS Eligibility Criteria

UPSC Questions on Battle of Plassey

Q1

What is the reason for the Battle of Plassey?

The Battle of Plassey took place when Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah did not like the uncontrolled use of privileges by the East India Company’s officials. Also, the workers of the company stopped paying the taxes that became one of the reasons for the Battle of Plassey.
Q2

Who fought the Battle of Plassey?

The Battle of Plassey was fought between Siraj-Ud-Daulah who was then the Bengal Nawab and East India Company forces headed by Robert Clive.
Q3

When did the Battle of Plassey take place?

The Battle of Plassey took place in 1757.
Q4

Why is the Battle of Plassey famous?

The Battle of Plassey is said to be historically famous as it is cited as the main source of the British rule in India.
Other Related Links
Formation of British East India Company – [December 31, 1600] IAS Salary Comprehensive News Analysis
Difference Between Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar List of Important Battles in Indian History UPSC Syllabus
Previous Year Modern History Prelims Questions PDF with Solutions [2013-2023] Previous Years UPSC Prelims Questions – Ancient Indian History [2013- 2023] Previous Years UPSC Prelims Questions – Medieval Indian History [2013- 2023]

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