Hi Everyone, we are continuing the series of East India Company. In this series, Battle of Plassey plays an important role as first major victory of British East India Company in India for establishment of their monopoly. The Battle of Plassey, fought on June 23, 1757, was a decisive conflict between the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and the forces of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The battle took place near Plassey, on the banks of the Hooghly River, about 150 kilometers north of Calcutta. Let’s discuss it in details:
When Alivardi Khan passed away in 1756, Siraj-ud-Daulah took over as the Nawab of Bengal. The EIC saw his growing power as a threat. They wanted a puppet ruler who would willingly grant them trade concessions and other privileges. To achieve this, the company tried—though unsuccessfully—to help one of Siraj-ud-Daulah’s rivals take his place.
Frustrated by the company’s interference, Siraj-ud-Daulah ordered it to stop meddling in Bengal’s political affairs, halt fortifications, and pay its overdue revenues. When negotiations failed, the Nawab took decisive action. He marched with 30,000 soldiers to the English factory in Kasimbazar, captured all company officials, sealed the warehouse, disarmed Englishmen, and blockaded English ships. After securing Kasimbazar, he continued his march to Calcutta to take control of the company’s fort there.
Battle of Plassey (23 June, 1757)
When the East India Company heard about the fall of Calcutta. Its officials in Madras (now Chennai) immediately sent a military force under Robert Clive, reinforced by Naval fleets. After arriving, the company engaged in prolonged negotiations with Siraj-ud-Daulah, but they failed to reach an agreement.
Finally, on June 23, 1757, Robert Clive led the company’s army against Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey. One of the key reasons for the Nawab’s defeat was the betrayal of Mir Jafar, one of his commanders. Mir Jafar deceived because Clive had secretly promised to make him the next Nawab after overthrowing Siraj-ud-Daulah.
The Battle of Plassey became a significant turning point in Indian history because it marked the company’s first major victory in India. This victory paved the way for British expansion, allowing the company to strengthen its control over Bengal and, eventually, much of the subcontinent.
After Siraj-ud-Daulah died, the East India Company made Mir Jafar the Nawab of Bengal. The company still avoided taking charge of administration. Instead, it focused on expanding trade. It preferred working with local rulers who granted privileges. If rulers cooperated, direct territorial control was unnecessary.
Soon, the company realized this strategy was flawed. Even puppet Nawabs did not always obey as expected. When Mir Jafar protested, the company removed him and installed Mir Qasim. When Mir Qasim resisted, the company defeated him in the Battle of Buxar (1764). It expelled him from Bengal and reinstated Mir Jafar.
The company forced Mir Jafar to pay 500,000 rupees every month. However, it demanded even more money to fund wars. It also wanted to acquire more territories and increase its revenue. By 1765, after Mir Jafar died, the company abandoned its plan to rule through puppet Nawabs. Robert Clive then declared, “We must become Nawabs ourselves.”
East India Company <:——- Previous Chapter
Source: NCERT