Question

How did the British EIC establish themselves in Bengal?

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question can be broken into 4 main parts:

1. Describe the reason which led to the Battle of Plassey.
2. Describe the events and result of the Battle of Plassey.
3. Describe the reason which led to the Battle of Buxar.
4. Describe the events and result of the Battle of Buxar.

Solution:

• The Bengal province was one of the most prosperous provinces in India.In 1756 AD Siraj-ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal.
• East India Company officers misused the trade concessions obtained from the Mughal Emperor in Bengal province.
• The English built fortifications around the Kolkata factory without the Nawab's permission. Hence Siraj-ud-Daulah captured the factory in Kolkata.
• This created discontent in England. Robert Clive diplomatically bribed Mir Jafar, the commander-in-chief and promised to make him the next Nawab.
• Siraj-ud-daulah and the British troops met at Plassey in 1757 AD. But under the leadership of Mir Jafar, the Nawab’s army made no move. Hence the Nawabs got defeated.
• Mir Jafar became the Nawab with the support, but later, he started protesting against the British, and hence his son-in-law, Mir Kasim, was made the Nawab. Mir Kasim tried to restrict illegal trade, and hence, Mir Jafar was made the Nawab.
• To restrict the activities of the British in Bengal, Mir Kasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam allied and ran a campaign. In 1764AD battle of Buxar was fought.