What were
the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India
Company?
What were the areas of conflict between the Bengal nawabs and the East India Company?
After
the death of Aurangzeb, the
Bengal nawabs asserted their power and autonomy. Through the
eighteenth century, the conflicts between them and the East India
Company intensified. The nawabs refused to grant the Company
concessions, demanded large tributes, denied it the right to mint
coins, and stopped it from extending its fortifications. They claimed
that the Company was depriving the Bengal government of huge amounts
of revenue, and also undermining their authority by refusing to pay
taxes, writing disrespectful letters, and humiliating them and their
officials.
On
its part, the Company declared that its trade was getting ruined
because of the unjust demands of the local officials. It believed
that trade could only flourish if the duties were removed. To expand
trade, it wanted to enlarge its settlements, buy up villages, and
rebuild its forts.
After the death of Aurangzeb, the Bengal nawabs asserted their power and autonomy. Through the eighteenth century, the conflicts between them and the East India Company intensified. The nawabs refused to grant the Company concessions, demanded large tributes, denied it the right to mint coins, and stopped it from extending its fortifications. They claimed that the Company was depriving the Bengal government of huge amounts of revenue, and also undermining their authority by refusing to pay taxes, writing disrespectful letters, and humiliating them and their officials.
On its part, the Company declared that its trade was getting ruined because of the unjust demands of the local officials. It believed that trade could only flourish if the duties were removed. To expand trade, it wanted to enlarge its settlements, buy up villages, and rebuild its forts.
