Question

How did the British established themselves as a political power in Bengal?

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question can be broken into 3 main parts:

1. Explain how the Company took eliminated the primary opposition
2. Explain the steps taken by the company to maintain their power
3. Describe the events that gave the EIC complete control over Bengal

Solution:

• The following are the reasons behind the defeat of the French in the Carnatic War:
• Due to trade conflicts, the British and the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ud-Daulah were not on good terms.
• The British Commander in chief, Robert Clive, therefore, conspired with Mir Jafer who was the commander in chief of the Nawab of Bengal, and defeated the Nawab of Bengal in 1757 in the Battle of Plassey.
• After the Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafer was appointed as the Nawab and the company gained free trade rights.
• Mir Jafer war eventually replaced by the Mir Qasim and the company exploited the free trade rights which angered Mir Qasim.
• Mir Qasim forged an alliance with Sha Alam and Shuja-Ud-Daulah and fought the Battle of Buxar in 1764.
• The allied forces of Mir Qasim, Sha Alam, and Shuja-Ud-Daulah were defeated by the company and the company gained complete control in Bengal.