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NCERT Notes Battle Of Plassey

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 Download PDF Here

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:

Table of Contents:

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:

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

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.
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:

UPSC Preparation:

UPSC Questions on Battle of Plassey

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Battle of Plassey, History, Causes, Impacts, Short Note

The Battle of Plassey was a major battle that took place on 23 June 1757 at Palashi, Bengal. Read a short note on the Battle of Plassey 1757, Causes, Significance & Consequences for UPSC preparation.

Table of Contents

Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757, in the West Bengali region of Plassey. The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula, and the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, engaged in this fight. In this conflict, the French soldiers fought alongside Siraj-ud-daula against Robert Clive. The Battle of Plassey is an important part of history for UPSC Preparation.

The Battle of Plassey is regarded as a turning moment in British Indian history and as a significant victory for the British. It consolidated British dominance in Bengal on the political and military fronts. The majority of historians consider the Battle of Plassey to be the pivotal event that established British authority and sovereignty over India.

This article will examine the background, causes, and other key information related to the Battle of Plassey. There will also be some questions from last year’s examination on this topic in the UPSC exam. This article will clarify the main traits of the subsidiary alliance system and various sorts of alliances.

Battle of Plassey Background

Understanding the circumstances leading up to the Battle of Plassey in 1757 is crucial. Alivardi Khan, Siraj-Ud-grandfather, Daula’s succeeded him as the Nawab of Bengal. The previous year, he had been appointed Nawab of Bengal, and he had ordered the English to halt building more fortifications.

After the British won the Carnatic Wars, Siraj-Ud-Daula became concerned about the British’s growing influence in India. The Company’s officials frequently abused their trading privileges, which had a negative impact on the nawab’s finances.

Without the Nawab’s consent, the British strengthened Fort Williams, which enraged him even more. He marched to Fort Williams, where he grabbed 146 Britons and imprisoned them in a cramped space where 123 of them perished. This incident is referred to as the “Calcutta Black Hole Tragedy.”

In response, Robert Clive was dispatched to Bengal to help the British maintain their grip there. He offered Mir Jafar kindred in exchange for his treachery of the Nawab of Bengal by bribing several of the Nawab’s top officials.

Battle of Plassey was Fought Between

1. siraj-ud-daulah.

The Nawab of Bengal was named Siraj-ud-Daulah. It is said that Siraj-ud-Daulah imprisoned 146 English people who were confined to a very small room, causing 123 of them to suffocate to death. While Calcutta was governed by the British, Siraj-ud-Daulah invaded and captured the English fort there.

2. Robert Clive

The East India Company’s top commander in Bengal was Robert Clive. Robert Clive granted sanctuary to Krishna Das, the economic fugitive son of Raj Vallabh, disappointing the Siraj-ud-Daulah. He abused the East India Company’s right to commerce. He strengthened the fort at Calcutta without the Nawab’s consent.

3. Mir Jafar

He was an excellent military leader for the Nawabs. He was bought by the East India Company to defraud Siraj-ud-Daulah. He planned with the East India Company in an effort to succeed as Bengal’s Nawab.

4. Rai Durlabh

He served as a representative in the nawab’s courts. Although he joined Siraj-ud-army, Daulah’s he did not participate in battle, betraying Siraj-ud-Daulah.

5. Jagat Seth

He worked in finance. Siraj-ud-Daulah was imprisoned and then killed as a result of his participation in the conspiracy.

6. Omi Chand

He was a commanding officer over Calcutta. He was in charge of signing the agreement that Clive and others negotiated prior to the Battle of Plassey.

Battle of Plassey Chronology

The Nawab stormed and took control of the firm’s plant in Kasim Bazar as a measure of warning after the company disobeyed his orders to prohibit the usage of Dastak and stop the building of Fort William. The company pillaged and ransacked Hooghly as retaliation. This further enraged the new Nawab, who invaded Fort William in June 1756.

The company’s officials were caught off guard and outnumbered; some of them surrendered and were taken prisoner; others managed to escape through the back gate and into the Hooghly River. Along with Governor Drakes, they sought refuge on the tidal island known as Fulta in the Hooghly River, and from Fulta, they despatched a letter to Madras.

The English Prisoners were imprisoned under Nawab’s decree. He changed Calcutta’s name to Alinagar, granted Manik Chand administrative control of the new city, and then left for Murshidabad. Meanwhile, a sizable British army led by Admiral Watson and Robert Clive arrived in Bengal from Madras in December 1756.

Nawab learned of this and, as a result of his dread of being attacked by Ahmed Shah Abdali and the Marathas, he decided to try to reach a settlement with the English. Manik Chand, meanwhile, had peacefully ceded Calcutta to the English. Robert Clive and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah began the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Alinagor, which was signed in February 1757.

According to this agreement, Clive pledged that the company would refrain from attacking the French at Chandra Nagar in exchange for the Nawab restoring the company’s trading privileges, allowing it to fortify Fort William, and paying it a war indemnity.

However, the company invaded Chandranagar in April 1757, and the French were routed. Nawab spoke with Clive, arrived in Calcutta with a little army, and then proceeded to Omichand’s property. Britisher believed that the Nawab was fighting and attacked him.

At Plassey in Nadia, West Bengal, both sides engaged in combat with one another. British troops were 3,000, and the Nawab had nearly 65,000 soldiers, but a plot hatched by Mir Jafar and Robert Clive resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of the Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah, and the subsequent murder of the Nawab by Mir Jafar’s son Miran.

Battle of Plassey Result

The British Company’s colonialization of India began with the Battle of Plassey. By installing puppet Nawab Mir Jafar on the throne of Bengal, the British Company indirectly consolidated its political authority over Bengal. Bengal was used as a springboard by the British Company to carry out his imperial ambitions.

The theft of riches began with theft, followed by the abuse of privileges, etc. The British Company received the Diwani right 25 (twenty-five) paragana from Mir Jafar. And now the British Company would benefit from the revenue from this area. Lord Clive and other British officers received enormous financial rewards from Mir Jafar in addition to him.

Following the Battle of Plassey, Bengali trade and commerce were exclusively controlled by the British corporation. As a result, Bengal, once a prosperous province of the Mughal Empire, began to become a place of Hunger, Famine, and Deprivation.

The British Company understood after the Battle of Plassey that the Indian people could assist them to conquer India because they had no idea of nationalism and that this revealed the moral weakness of the Indian people.

Battle of Plassey Significance

The Transfer of Power was a result of the Battle of Plassey, which is why it is significant. Mir Jafar rose to the position of Nawab of Bengal after the Battle of Plassey. Mir Jafar was a puppet of Nawab, the firm employed him merely to meet its financial requirement. Therefore, that business could swiftly push its colonial interests. The corporation was of an Imperial nature, thus Mir Jafar was unable to satisfy its rapacious demands.

Mir Jafar thus began to become less important in the company’s imperial game. In order to discredit him, it was said that he had conspired with Dutch, but the truth was that he had failed to pay the vast sum of money the corporation had requested.

A deal was reached between the British firm and Mir Kasim as a result, and in September 1760, control was transferred. Some historians viewed this change in power in Bengal as a precursor to a revolution.

Battle of Plassey UPSC

The incident sparked the 1764 Battle of Buxar .
Mir Jafar’s power was transferred to Mir Kasim, who took over as the new Nawab of Bengal.

Battle of Plassey FAQs

Q) Who fought Plassey battle?

Ans. On June 23, 1757, the Battle of Plassey took place in northeastern India. Robert Clive’s British East India Company troops confronted Siraj-ud-Daulah, the final Nawab of Bengal, and his French allies.

Q) Why the battle is called Plassey?

Ans. When Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah objected to the East India Company officers’ unauthorised use of privileges, the Battle of Plassey resulted.

Q) What is the Battle of Plassey in simple words?

Ans. The Battle of Plassey was a major battle that took place on 23 June 1757 at Palashi, Bengal.

Q) Why India lost Battle of Plassey?

Ans. The Nawab was opposed by Siraj’s ministers, who were deceived and bought off by the British. By his dependable ally Mir Jafar and other ministers, Siraj was betrayed.

Q) Who was killed by British in Battle of Plassey?

Ans. In 1757, Siraj-ud-Daulah was beaten by Clive at Plassey, and Calcutta was taken. The Black Hole Massacre and Nawab Siraj-ud-assault Daulah’s on British-controlled Calcutta came before the conflict.

Who fought Plassey battle?

On June 23, 1757, the Battle of Plassey took place in northeastern India. Robert Clive's British East India Company troops confronted Siraj-ud-Daulah, the final Nawab of Bengal, and his French allies.

Why the battle is called Plassey?

When Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah objected to the East India Company officers' unauthorised use of privileges, the Battle of Plassey resulted.

What is the Battle of Plassey in simple words?

The Battle of Plassey was a major battle that took place on 23 June 1757 at Palashi, Bengal.

Why India lost Battle of Plassey?

The Nawab was opposed by Siraj's ministers, who were deceived and bought off by the British. By his dependable ally Mir Jafar and other ministers, Siraj was betrayed.

Who was killed by British in Battle of Plassey?

In 1757, Siraj-ud-Daulah was beaten by Clive at Plassey, and Calcutta was taken. The Black Hole Massacre and Nawab Siraj-ud-assault Daulah's on British-controlled Calcutta came before the conflict.

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Decoding the Battle of Plassey of 1757

Updated on
Feb 8, 2024

The infamous Battle of Plassey of 1757 was a watershed moment in Indian history and led to the establishment of British rule in India. The battle took place between Robert Clive, who headed the East India Company, and Siraj-Ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal who had seized control of Calcutta with the help of French troops. The battle between the two forces was a skirmish rather than a war, as the British army outranked Siraj’s army in terms of numbers, strategy, and experience.

Keep reading to find out all the details about the Battle of Plassey .

This Blog Includes:

What is the battle of plassey, what led to the battle of plassey, who fought the battle of plassey, causes of the battle of plassey, political effects , economic effects , results of the battle , short note on battle of plassey, best books on the battle of plassey, battle of plassey ppt, important questions.

Click Here to Download the PDF for Battle of Plassey 1757

It is a war between Robert Clive’s East India Company and Siraj-Ud-Siraj-Ud-Siraj-Ud-Siraj-Ud- Daulah’s Daulah’s Daulah’s Daulah’s (Nawab of Bengal). Siraj was enraged by EIC officials’ widespread abuse of trade privileges. The battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 as a result of EIC’s continued mistreatment of Siraj-Ud-Daulah.

Siraj-Ud Daulah was the last independent Nawab of Bengal, he took the throne in 1755 by succeeding his maternal grandfather, Alivardi Khan. Two years into his reign, Nawab of Bengal decided to take back the control of Calcutta from the British forces with the help of the French East India Company.

The strained relationship between Siraj-Ud Daulah and the British was a result of misuse of trade privileges and the fact that the latter openly supported the Nawab’s enemies and conspirators. This support and failure to comply with the trade rules angered Siraj-Ud-Daulah, which ultimately led to the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The Battle of Plassey was fought at Palashi, on the banks of the Bhagirathi river near Calcutta on June 23, 1757.

Effects of the Battle of Plassey

The effects of the Battle of Plassey of 1757 in India were as follows:

The French army was defeated at the Battle of Plassey.
The Nawab of Bengal, Mir Jafar, was crowned.
Mir Jafar was dissatisfied with his situation, so he incited the Dutch to attack the British to strengthen his position.
On November 25, 1759, the Dutch and British armies clashed in the Battle of Chinsura.
Mir Qasim was established as the Nawab of Bengal by the British.
In Bengal, the British became the most powerful European force.
Robert Clive was given the title “Lord Clive,” Baron of Plassey, and was elected to the British House of Commons.
India’s economy was severely affected.
Several rules and regulations were imposed by the British in Bengal.
The British ordered tax collection from the Bengal inhabitants.

Also Read: Find Out Interesting Historical Facts with our Series on This Day in History !

Following are the results of Batlle of Plassey:

The direct result of the Battle of Plassey of the political growth of the East India Company and the political establishment of the British Empire in the state of Bengal.
The Battle of Plassey is considered the start of British rule in India.
After the defeat of the Siraj-Ud-Daulah, Mir Jafar was instated as the nawab of Bengal by Robert Clive.
The East India Company through Mir Jafar acquired Bengal’s trade and commercial control.
Major General Robert Clive was honoured by the British government for his victory in the Battle and conferred the title of a Lord in the year 1760 after his return to England.

The historic Battle of Plassey was fought in the year 1757 between the East India Company led by Major General Robert Clive and Siraj-Ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The strained relationship between Siraj-Ud Daulah and the British was the main cause of the battle. Britishers’ misuse of trade privileges and open support for Nawab’s enemies and conspirators angered Siraj-Ud-Daulah, who ultimately challenged the British by gaining control of Calcutta Fort and imprisoning the British officials. The battle was fought at Palashi, on the banks of the Bhagirathi river near Calcutta on June 23, 1757, and resulted in the defeat of the Bengal Nawab.

Also Read : Non-Cooperation Movement: Features, Causes and Results

Learn more information on Battle of Plassey from the following list of books:

Battle of Plassey 1757: The Victory That Won an Empire by Stuart Reid
Plassey: The Battle that Changed the Course of Indian History by Sudeep Chakravarti
From Plassey To Partition And After by Sekhar Bandyopadhyay
With Clive in India – Or the Beginnings of an Empire by G A Henty
Plassey 1757: Clive of India’s Finest Hour by Peter Harrington

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Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey was fought in north-eastern India on 23 June 1757. Troops of the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, came up against the forces of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last Nawab of Bengal, and his French allies. Clive's victory eventually led to the British becoming the greatest economic and military power in India.

The context

By the mid-18th century, the Mughal Empire, which had once controlled most of the Indian sub-continent, was in a state of collapse as native Indian and European states attempted to carve out their own political and economic power bases.

The East India Company was one of these competing powers. While battling the French for trading supremacy, it simultaneously began to involve itself in local politics, especially in Bengal, India’s richest province.

The Bengali ruler Siraj-ud-Daulah had been in dispute with the Company for some time. A year before the Battle of Plassey, when the Company refused to halt military preparations against the French following the outbreak of the Seven Years War (1756-63), he had attacked and captured its stronghold of Fort William in Calcutta (Kolkata).

Shortly after Fort William's surrender, Siraj confined a number of prisoners in a small dungeon. One British survivor’s account states that 123 of the 146 prisoners died in the crush.

The ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ subsequently proved to be a useful justification for British revenge and conquest. It has been the subject of much controversy ever since.

By February 1757 the Company and the British Army had won Calcutta back. The following month Robert Clive seized the French fort of Chandernagore.

In the spring of 1757 the opposing armies skirmished and squared off in a series of minor engagements.

Eyre Coote, later Commander-in-Chief in India, was a captain serving with the 39th Foot during Clive's Bengal expedition, c1779

Regime change

On learning that Siraj was negotiating with the French, the Company decided a change of regime was needed to achieve its political and financial goals. It was not alone in wanting Siraj gone. Mahtab Rai, head of the Jagat Seth Bengal banking family, was concerned that the Nawab would seize the Seth's huge wealth for his own ends.

The Jagat Seths and Clive therefore secretly offered to make one of Siraj’s army commanders, Mir Jafar, the new nawab of Bengal, if Siraj was defeated in battle. On 23 June 1757 Mir Jafar got his chance at Plassey.

Siraj-ud-Daulah (1733-57) commanded around 50,000 men, including 16,000 cavalry. He also had 50 field guns, a combination of 32-, 24- and 18-pounders. Officers on loan from the French commanded this artillery.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clive (1725-74) commanded the British force. Formerly a writer (clerk), Clive had switched to the Company’s military service and his tactical flair and personal bravery had earned him rapid promotion and a great personal fortune.

His army was about 3,000-strong, including 2,100 Indian sepoys (infantry) and about 800 Europeans. The latter included the 1st Madras European Regiment and 600 Crown troops from the 39th Regiment. Clive had only ten field guns and two small howitzers.

Lord Robert Clive, c1764

'The fire of battle and slaughter, that had been hitherto kept alive under a heap of embers, now blazed out into flames. But as the nation of hat-wearers have no equals in the art of firing their artillery and musketry with both order and rapidity, there commenced such an incessant rain of balls and bullets, and such a hot endless firing, that the spectators themselves were amazed and confounded; and those in the battle had their hearing deafened by the continual thunder, and their eye-sight dimmed by the endless flashing of the execution'. Bengali writer Ğulām Ḥusayn Ḫān describing the battle - 1781

The armies met on the banks of the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River, near the small village of Plassey (Palashi) about 100 miles (160km) north of Calcutta (Kolkata). The Nawab’s opening cannonade was out of range, while various skirmishes were inconclusive.

A heavy downpour of rain then interrupted proceedings. The British artillerymen quickly covered their cannon and ammunition with tarpaulins. The enemy failed to do the same and their artillery was put out of action.

Plan of the Battle of Plassey, 1757

The Nawab of Bengal's artillery on its movable platform at Plassey, 1757

The Nawab of Bengal's artillery on its movable platform, 1757

Storm of fire

The Nawab’s men moved forward, assuming that Clive’s cannon were also inoperable. They were met by a storm of fire and soon withdrew in disarray. At this point, Mir Jafar, commanding the Nawab’s cavalry, refused to take part.

By the end of the day Clive was in a position to rout the Nawab’s disheartened forces, inflicting over 500 casualties for the loss of only 22 men killed and 50 wounded.

Mir Jafar later killed Siraj and was appointed nawab in his place. But he became little more than a puppet ruler, forced to cede control of Bengal through the treaties he signed with the British. Siraj’s defeat also meant that the French were no longer a force in Bengal.

Cannon ball fired at the Battle of Plassey, 23 June 1757

Cannon ball fired at the Battle of Plassey, 1757

Imperial power

After his victory at Plassey, Clive was appointed Governor of Bengal. In 1765 he secured the ‘diwani’, the right to collect the tax and customs revenue of Bengal, from Emperor Shah Alam II for the Company. This confirmed British military supremacy in the region and gave the Company a political stake in India.

Indian tax revenues were now used to buy Indian goods for export to Britain. The Company created a huge civil and military administration to collect the taxes and police its territories. No longer purely a commercial organisation, it had become an imperial power.

As part of this process Clive served as Commander-in-Chief Bengal, with the local rank of major-general. He did much to organise and train the Company’s army on European lines, turning it into a formidable force.

In the years that followed, the British used their newly acquired revenues and military might to eject their European colonial rivals, the French and the Dutch, from the rest of India. The victory at Plassey started a process that eventually resulted in British rule over the sub-continent.

Medal commemorating Robert Clive's victory at Plassey, 1757

‘The Madras Tyrant, or the Director of Directors’, 1772

This satire, entitled ‘The Madras Tyrant, or the Director of Directors’, attacked Clive for both his greed and misrule, 1772

For a later generation of Britons, the victory at Plassey marked the birth of their Indian Empire. Until Indian independence in 1947 almost every schoolchild would have heard of the battle and known of ‘Clive of India’.

This was despite the fact that during his lifetime Clive had divided public opinion. Many people had denounced him as a corrupt and greedy ‘nabob’ who used his political and military influence to amass a fortune.

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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Battle of Plassey, 1757

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Battle of Plassey, 1757 by Kaushik Roy LAST MODIFIED: 23 March 2023 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199791279-0227

The battle of Plassey was fought in a mango orchard on the bank of the Hugli River on 23 June 1757, between the British East India Company’s force led by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clive against the Bengal Nawabi (Muslim regional polity) Army commanded by the Bengal Nawab (Muslim ruler) Siraj-ud-daulah. This battle is considered to be a turning point in the history of the modern world. The battle was brief but the consequences proved to be far reaching. Despite the volume of ink that has flowed as regards Plassey, historians are still debating over various issues concerning the battle. Was the armed clash between the Company and the Bengal Nawabi inevitable? And who was responsible for this encounter: the “debauch” Siraj or the greedy Company traders? Was the defeat of Siraj foreordained? Did Plassey result in Bengal’s economic decline? Did Plassey signify the foundation stone of British rule in India which gave rise to the largest empire in the nineteenth century? We are clear on one ground. In terms of battle casualties, Plassey was a marginal affair. Only five hundred soldiers on the nawab ’s side and fifty in Clive’s army were casualties. However, this armed confrontation’s effect on the social, political, and economic spheres of both Britain and India were enormous. In fact, one British official, just after this battle, coined the term that a “revolution” had indeed occurred in Bengal. The Urdu and Persian speaking Indians used the term “ inqilab ” (an upsurge that resulted in complete break with the past). Again, it would be simplistic to accept that Plassey was a binary struggle between the British and the Indians. Another European power, the French, were also involved. Plassey also had immense consequences on the trading activities and political interests of the Dutch and French in South Asia. The different dimensions regarding the cause, course, and consequences of the “decisive” battle of Plassey are discussed in the following sections.

In English, the most notable is the collection Anon 1870 , followed by three volumes of Hill 1905 . Srinivasachariar 1952 selections of Robert Orme’s documents detail the military rise of the British in South India before Plassey. Among the Persian sources, Hussein-Khan 1832 is notable. While Hussein-Khan provides a pan-India account, Yusuf Khan’s Tarikh-i-Bangala 1982 and Sarkar 1998 are regional histories of Bengal focusing on the first half of the eighteenth century. Salim 1975 is a pro-British Persian history of Bengal.

Anon, ed. Indian Records with a Commercial View of the Relations between the British Government and the Nawabs Nazim of Bengal, Behar and Orissa . London: G. Bubb, 1870.

The collection showcases the treaties which were forced on the nawabs by the East India Company from June 1757 onward. The overall tenor of the treaties and the farmans (orders) issued by the helpless nawabs show that with the passage of time, British control over the political and economic spheres was increasing and the nawabs were becoming Roi fainéant.

Bengal Nawabs containing Azad-al-Husaini’s Naubahar-i-Murshid Quli Khani, Karam Ali’s Muzaffarnamah and Yusuf Ali’s Ahwal-i-Mahabat Jang . Translated by Jadunath Sarkar. Calcutta: Asiatic Society, 1998.

This volume is a compilation of three books translated into English from Persian. The first book is about one Mughal noble Murshid Quli Khan II who led an expedition to Assam and was governor of Orissa when Alivardi killed Nawab Sarfaraz Khan and ascended the Bengal masnad (throne). The second book authored by Karam Ali provides interesting detail about Siraj-ud-daulah’s offensive against the East India Company at Kasimbazar and at Chitpur, a suburb of Calcutta. The third book authored by Yusuf Ali is a detailed account of the life and times of Alivardi until the accession of Siraj. Originally published in 1952.

Indian Records Series, Bengal in 1756–1757, A Selection of Public and Private Papers dealing with the affairs of the British in Bengal during the Reign of Siraj-ud-Daulah . Edited by S. C. Hill. 3 vols. London: John Murray, 1905.

The most copious collection of documents in English is provided in the three volumes edited by Hill. Includes Notes and Historical Introduction. Those researchers who are not able to consult Robert Orme’s multivolume manuscript in the British Library, London, will find this selection particularly useful. However, Hill’s introduction which runs for more than two pages in the first volume is dated.

Riyazu-s-Salatin by Ghulam Hussain Salim. Translated by Abdus Salam. Delhi: Idarah-I Adabiyat-I Delli, 1975.

Following the late Victorian assumption, Salim asserts that the British victories over the Bengal nawabs were due to the Christian Franks’ (the Indian scholars of eighteenth century called the British/English hatmen or Franks) superior intellectual and moral faculties. After all, Salim was an official of the British-Indian government in the late nineteenth century. Nevertheless, Salim’s history provides a lot of important factual details. Translated from Persian. Originally published in 1903.

The Siyar-ul-Mutakherin, A History of the Mohamedan Power in India during the Last Century by Mir Gholam Hussein-Khan. Vol. 1. London: Oriental Translation Fund in association with John Murray, 1832.

Revised from the translation of Haji Mustafa, and collated with the Persian original by Lieutenant-Colonel John Briggs. Hussein-Khan paints the decline of the all-India Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb and the rise of independent nawabis in Bengal and Awadh. Khan especially stresses the treachery of Alivardi Khan against the lawful Nawab Sarfaraz Khan which resulted in the Battle of Giria on 26 April 1740.

Srinivasachariar, Diwan Bahadur C. S., ed. Selections from Orme Manuscripts . Annamalainagar, India: Annamalai University, 1952.

This collection shows the experience gained by the East India Company in the 1740s during its tussle with the French and Indian rulers in the Coromandel Coast. This knowledge was put to good effect in Bengal in the 1750s.

The Tarikh-i-Bangala-i-Mahabatjangi of Yusuf Ali Khan. English translation of Persian by Abdus Samad. Calcutta: Asiatic Society, 1982.

The author was a contemporary of Alivardi Khan and gives copious details about the nawab ’s problems with the Marathas and the Afghans of Bihar. This in turn allowed the British traders to strengthen their position within the Bengal Suba (Mughal province). As regards Siraj, Yusuf absolves him of the “Black Hole” tragedy.

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Seven Years' War: Battle of Plassey

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Battle of Plassey - Conflict & Date:

The Battle of Plassey was fought June 23, 1757, during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

Armies & Commanders

British East India Company

Colonel Robert Clive

Nawab of Bengal

Siraj Ud Daulah
Mir Jafar Ali Khan
approx. 53,000 men

Battle of Plassey - Background:

While fighting raged in Europe and North America during the French & Indian/Seven Years' War, it also spilled over to the more faraway outposts of the British and French Empires making the conflict the world's first global war . In India, the two nations' trading interests were represented by the French and British East India Companies. In asserting their power, both organizations built their own military forces and recruited additional sepoy units. In 1756, fighting began in Bengal after both sides began reinforcing their trading stations.

This angered the local Nawab, Siraj-ud-Duala, who ordered military preparations to cease. The British refused and in a short time the Nawab's forces had seized the British East India Company's stations, including Calcutta. After taking Fort William in Calcutta, a large number of British prisoners were herded into a tiny prison. Dubbed the " Black Hole of Calcutta," many died from heat exhaustion and being smothered. The British East India Company moved quickly to regain its position in Bengal and dispatched forces under Colonel Robert Clive from Madras.

The Plassey Campaign:

Carried by four ships of line commanded by Vice Admiral Charles Watson, Clive's force re-took Calcutta and attacked Hooghly. After a brief battle with the Nawab's army on February 4, Clive was able to conclude a treaty which saw all British property returned. Concerned about growing British power in Bengal, the Nawab began corresponding with the French. At this same time, the badly outnumbered Clive began making deals with the Nawab's officers to overthrow him. Reaching out to Mir Jafar, Siraj Ud Daulah's military commander, he convinced him to switch sides during the next battle in exchange for the nawabship.

On June 23 the two armies met near Palashi. The Nawab opened the battle with an ineffective cannonade which ceased around noon when heavy rains fell on the battlefield. The Company troops covered their cannon and muskets, while the Nawab's and French did not. When the storm cleared, the Clive ordered an attack. With their muskets useless due to wet powder, and with Mir Jafar's divisions unwilling to fight, the Nawab's remaining troops were forced to retreat.

Aftermath of the Battle of Plassey:

Clive's army suffered a mere 22 killed and 50 wounded as opposed to over 500 for the Nawab. Following the battle, Clive saw that Mir Jafar was made nawab on June 29. Deposed and lacking support, Siraj-ud-Duala attempted to flee to Patna but was captured and executed by Mir Jafar's forces on July 2. The victory at Plassey effectively eliminated French influence in Bengal and saw the British gain control of the region through favorable treaties with Mir Jafar. A pivotal moment in Indian history, Plassey saw the British establish a firm base from which to bring the remainder of the subcontinent under their control.

Selected Sources

History of War: Battle of Plassey
Modern History Sourcebook: Sir Robert Clive: The Battle of Plassey, 1757
History of Islam: Battle of Plassey
Seven Years' War: Major General Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive
French and Indian/Seven Years' War
The British Raj in India
East India Company
A Timeline of India's Mughal Empire
What Led to the Boston Tea Party?
The French & Indian War/The Seven Years' War: An Overview
French and Indian/Seven Years' War Battles
The Black Hole of Calcutta
A Timeline of India in the 1800s
1600s & 1700s Military History Timeline
The Mughal Empire in India
The Seven Years War 1756 - 63
French & Indian/Seven Years' War
Biography of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore
American Revolution: Lieutenant General John Burgoyne

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Factors, Significance and Impact of Battle of Plassey

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Battle of Plassey - Factors, Significance and Impact

Bengal on the eve of the battle of plassey, the battle of plassey, significance of the british success.

Prelims : History of India and Indian National Movement.

Mains : Modern Indian History from the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

The Battle of Plassey , fought on June 23, 1757, near the village of Plassey in Bengal, marks a momentous turning point in the history of India. This historical confrontation between the British East India Company and the forces of Siraj-ud-daulah , the Nawab of Bengal, set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to British dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

The battle unfolded against a backdrop of conflicting interests as the British sought to secure their commercial foothold in Bengal. At the same time, the Nawab resisted the privileges enjoyed by the East India Company . Amidst political intrigues, secret alliances, and internal rivalries, the British victory at Plassey opened the doors to their growing control over Bengal, setting the stage for profound changes in the region's political and economic landscape.

Between 1757 and 1765, power gradually shifted from the Nawabs of Bengal to the British, as the latter defeated the former.

Commercial interest: The English East India Company had significant commercial interests in Bengal, as nearly 60% of British imports from Asia comprised goods from Bengal.
Factories: The Company had established factories in Balasore, Hooghly, Kasimbazar, Patna, and Dacca during the 1630s, and the foundation of Calcutta in the 1690s completed the process of English commercial settlement in Bengal.
Nawabs of Bengal: Under the rule of Murshid Quli Khan (1700-1727), Shujauddin (1727-1739), and Alivardi Khan (1739-1756), Bengal experienced unprecedented progress.
Cities like Calcutta, Dacca, and Murshidabad saw significant population growth during this period.
This friction between the Company's interests and the Bengal government became the leading cause of conflict.

Alivardi Khan and the British

In 1741, Alivardi Khan , the Deputy Governor of Bihar, defeated and killed the Nawab of Bengal, Sarfaraz Khan, in battle. He secured his position as the new Subahdar of Bengal by paying a large sum of money to the Mughal Emperor, Muhammad Shah.

Rule of Alivardi Khan: He ruled for 15 years and successfully repelled the Marathas.
Company fortifying its settlements: Taking advantage of the Maratha incursions in Bengal, the English East India Company obtained permission from the Nawab to dig a ditch and construct an entrenchment around their settlement of Fort William .
Realising this, he was urged to expel the Europeans from Bengal.
However, Alivardi Khan passed away in 1756 before any action could be taken.
He was succeeded by his grandson, Siraj-ud-daula , the son of Alivardi's youngest daughter.

Siraj-ud-daula and the British

Siraj inherited numerous troubles from his grandfather. He had a rival in his cousin, the Nawab of Purnea, Shaukat Jang .

There was a dominant group in his court comprising Jagat Seth, Omichand, Rai Ballabh, Rai Durlabh and others who were opposed to him.
In addition to these internal rivals, Siraj also faced a threat to his position from the growing commercial activities of the English East India Company.
He defeated and killed Shaukat Jang in a battle, seized Ghasiti Begum's treasures, and dismissed Mir Jafar, replacing him with Mir Madan.
A Kashmiri officer named Mohan Lal was appointed to oversee the administration, and he acted as almost a Prime Minister.

The Battle of Plassey , fought in 1757, was a pivotal engagement during the colonial period in which the British East India Company emerged victorious, solidifying their control over Bengal and marking the beginning of British dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

Background of the Battle

The officials of the British East India Company made rampant misuse of their trade privileges, which adversely affected the finances of the Nawab. Moreover, the English fortified Calcutta without Nawab's permission.

Asylum to fugitives: The Company further attempted to deceive him and exacerbated the situation by granting asylum to a political fugitive, Krishna Das , son of Raj Ballabh, who had fled with immense treasures against Nawab's wishes.
This suspicion eventually led to an open display of hostility when Siraj attacked and seized the English fort at Calcutta.
According to popular belief, Siraj-ud-daulah imprisoned 146 English individuals in a very small room, resulting in the death of 123 of them due to suffocation.

The Course of the Battle

The arrival of Clive: The arrival of a strong force under the command of Robert Clive at Calcutta from Madras significantly strengthened the English position in Bengal.
The deal: According to the deal, Mir Jafar would be made the Nawab , and in return, he would reward the English East India Company for their services.
This secret alliance further solidified the English position, and thus, the outcome of the Battle of Plassey (June 23, 1757) was decided before the battle began.
The defeat of Siraj: Due to the conspiracy involving Nawab's officials, the 50,000-strong force of Siraj ud-Daulah was defeated by a small contingent of Clive's forces. Siraj was captured and subsequently murdered under the orders of Mir Jafar's son, Miran.
Following Plassey, the English virtually monopolised the trade and commerce of Bengal.
The battle solidified the British influence in India, establishing their dominance in Bengal and paving the way for further expansion of their colonial rule.
The battle caused significant political upheaval in the region, leading to a shift in power dynamics and weakening the indigenous rulers.

Mir Jafar and the Treaty of 1760

Mir Jafar grew increasingly frustrated with the interference of Robert Clive after he was made the Nawab of Bengal.

The defeat of Mir Jafar: He plotted with the Dutch at Chinsura , but they were humiliated when English forces defeated them at Bedara in 1759 . The English were enraged by Mir Jafar's betrayal and failure to make the payments due to the English East India Company.
Renewed contest for Nawabship: Meanwhile, Miran, the son of Mir Jafar, passed away, triggering a contest for the nawabship of Bengal between Mir Kasim , the son-in-law of Mir Jafar, and Miran's son.
Treaty with Mir Kasim: The new Governor of Calcutta, Vansittart , agreed to support Mir Kasim's claim after a treaty was signed between Mir Kasim and the Company in 1760.
Mir Kasim agreed to cede the districts of Burdwan, Midnapur, and Chittagong to the Company.
The Company would receive half of the share in the chunam trade of Sylhet.
Mir Kasim agreed to pay off the outstanding dues owed to the Company.
Mir Kasim promised to contribute a sum of five lakh rupees to finance the Company's war efforts in southern India.
It was agreed that Mir Kasim's enemies would be considered the Company's enemies, and his friends would be the Company's friends.
The treaty stipulated that tenants of Nawab's territory would not be permitted to settle in the lands of the Company and vice versa.
Resignation of Mir Jafar: Under pressure from the Company, Mir Jafar decided to resign in favour of Mir Kasim, and a pension of Rs 1,500 per annum was fixed for Mir Jafar.

The success of the British in the Battle of Plassey had a significant impact on the history of Bengal.

Although the Nawab remained the supreme authority in appearance, in practice, the Nawab became dependent on the Company's authority , and the Company began to interfere in the appointment of Nawab's officials.
Internal rivalries exposed: The battle also exposed internal rivalries within Nawab's administration, and the conspiracy of rivals with the British ultimately weakened the administration's strength.
English monopoly over trade: The English East India Company successfully established their monopoly over Bengal trade, marginalising the French and Dutch companies.
The Battle of Buxar sealed the fate of the Bengal Nawabs, and the British emerged as the ruling power in Bengal.

Freqently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) who won the battle of plassey.

The British East India Company won the Battle of Plassey.

Q) What led to the Battle of Plassey?

The conflict of interests between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, along with the Company's support of political rivals and suspicions of collaboration with the French, led to the Battle of Plassey.

Q) What was the result of the Battle of Plassey?

The result of the Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory for the British East India Company, securing their control over Bengal and marking the beginning of British dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

Q) Why did the Battle of Plassey become famous?

The Battle of Plassey became famous because it marked a significant turning point in Indian history, leading to British control over Bengal and laying the foundation for British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent.

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Write a short note about Battle of Plassey

Answers (1).

The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757 AD. The armies of the British and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula, came face to face on 23 June 1757 at a village called 'Plassi' on the banks of the Bhagirathi river in the 'Nadiya district', 22 miles to the south of Murshidabad. In Siraj-ud-Daulah's army, while there were patriots like 'Meermadan', 'Mohanlal', on the other hand there were traitors like Mir Jafar. The war started on 23rd June at 9 am. Mir Jafar and Raidurlabh remained inactive with their armies. Miramdan was killed in this battle. The outcome of the war was probably predetermined by destiny. Robert Clive was victorious without a fight. As a result, Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal. According to KM Panikkar, 'It was a deal in which the rich Seths of Bengal and Mir Jafar sold the Nawab to the British.

Although the Battle of Plassey was a minor military skirmish, it exposed the character weakness of the Indians. The importance of this war in the history of India is due to the events that followed. Undoubtedly, after the Battle of Plassey in India, the period of slavery began, in which its economic and moral exploitation was more. Politically also the position of the East India Company was strengthened. Bengal became under the British and could never become independent again. The new Nawab Mir Jafar was dependent on the British for his defense and position. His inability was to the extent that the British refused to punish him for his betrayal to Diwan Raidurlabh and Ram Narayan. After the Battle of Plassey, 'Luke Schraftron' was appointed as the British Resident in the court of the Nawab in Bengal.

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Home » General Knowledge » The Battle of Plassey – Context, Participants, and Outcome

The Battle of Plassey - Context, Participants, and Outcome

Introduction: battle of plassey.

On June 23, 1757, a significant event known as the Battle of Plassey took place in the West Bengal region of Plassey. Robert Clive led the British East India Company in a battle against the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula. The French soldiers also participated in the battle, fighting alongside Siraj-ud-daula against Robert Clive.

The British Indians remember the Battle of Plassey as a significant turning point in their history due to a notable British victory. The British East India Company’s victory at the Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of British rule in India almost two centuries ago. With the Nawab of Bengal’s demise due to betrayal, it was a military encounter that was surprisingly underwhelming for a situation with such significant implications.

It increased British hegemony in Bengal on both the political and military fronts. Historians think the Battle of Plassey was essential in establishing British rule and sovereignty over India. This article covers the context, contributing factors, and other information surrounding the Battle of Plassey. This article will discuss the Battle of Plassey’s history, context, reasons, and other facts. It’s common knowledge that Plassey, essentially a skirmish, marked the beginning of British rule in India.

Background and Causes of the Battle of Plassey

Knowing what happened before the Battle of Plassey in 1757 is crucial. Let’s examine some of the major occasions that led up to the Battle of Plassey Fought between the Nawab of Bengal and the Britishers and served as its cause.
Alivardi Khan succeeded Siraj-Ud-Daula as the Nawab of Bengal, taking over from the former ruler.
The Britishers were instructed to stop building more fortifications after he had been appointed Nawab of Bengal the previous year.
Siraj-Ud-Daula was worried about the British gaining power in India after they prevailed in the Carnatic Wars.
The Nawab’s finances were negatively impacted by the company’s officials’ widespread abuse of their trade privileges.
Without the Nawab’s consent, the British fortified Fort Williams, which infuriated him even more.
He marched to Fort Williams, where he took 146 British citizens into custody and imprisoned them in a cramped space, where 123 British citizens perished.
The “Black Hole Tragedy of Calcutta” is what this incident is known as.
They dispatched Robert Clive to Bengal to improve the standing of British citizens there as a result.
In exchange for Mir Jafar’s betrayal of the Nawab of Bengal, he offered kinship to Mir Jafar and bought off some of the Nawab of Bengal’s top officials.
The Battle of Plassey took place in Bengal’s Palashi region. The British army, comprising about 3,000 soldiers, vastly outnumbered the Bengali Nawab’s army, which had 50,000 soldiers.
The conspiracy orchestrated by Robert Clive and the subsequent betrayal by Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh, and others resulted in the defeat of Siraj-ud-daula (the Nawab of Bengal) at the Battle of Plassey.

Battle of Plassey was Fought in Between, Date, and Key Details

Robert Clive led the East India Company in a battle against the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula, known as the Battle of Plassey. Let’s examine each significant participant in the Battle of Plassey:

Siraj-ud-daula:

He served as the Nawab of Bengal at the time. Because of their misuse of dastaks, he sued East India Company. The East India Company’s fortification of Fort Williams was the primary reason for the Battle of Plassey.

Robert Clive:

Robert Clive oversaw the British East India Company’s armed forces. To get Siraj-Ud-Daula, Nawab of Bengal, imprisoned and ultimately killed, he bought off figures in the army and plotted with Bengal’s bankers and merchants.

Mir Jafar was the military commander of the Bengali Nawab’s army, also known as the Mir-Bakshi. But after accepting a payment from Robert Clive, he betrayed Siraj-Ud-Daula.

Rai Durlabh:

As a commander in Siraj-ud-daula’s army, Rai Durlabh also betrayed the Nawab after accepting a bribe from the East India Company.

Jagat Seth:

In Bengal at the time, Jagat Seth was the largest banker. He took part in the plot that led to Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s detention and eventual murder.

Battle Of Plassey: Chronological events

After the company disobeyed his orders to forbid the use of Dastak and stop the construction of Fort William. The Nawab stormed and took control of the company’s Kasim Bazar plant as a precaution. As payback, the company ransacked and pillaged Hooghly. The new Nawab was even more sore, and in June 1756, he attacked Fort William. In some cases, the company’s officials, outnumbered and caught off guard, surrendered and were taken as prisoners.

The Nawab’s decree led to the imprisonment of the English Prisoners. Manik Chand was given administrative control over the new city, and he changed Calcutta’s name to Alinagar before departing for Murshidabad. While this was going on, a sizable British army under the command of Admiral Watson and Robert Clive arrived in Bengal from Madras in December 1756. Nawab learned of this, and, fearing an assault from Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Marathas decided to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the English. In the meantime, Manik Chand had peacefully handed Calcutta to the English. Robert Clive and Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah initiated the discussions that led to the signing of the Treaty of Alinagar in February 1757.

By signing this contract, Clive agreed to forgo attacking the French at Chandra Nagar in return for Nawab’s restoration of the company’s trading privileges, permission to fortify Fort William, and payment of a war indemnity.

The company defeated the French when invading Chandranagar in April 1757. Nawab spoke with Clive, travelled to Calcutta with a small army, and then went to Omichand’s property. The Britisher attacked the Nawab because they thought he was fighting. The two sides fought each other at Plassey in Nadia, West Bengal. The Nawab had nearly 65,000 soldiers, compared to the 3,000 British soldiers, but a plot by Mir Jafar and Robert Clive led to the Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah’s arrest and imprisonment, and the Nawab’s subsequent murder by Mir Jafar’s son Miran.

Siraj ud Daulah and His Role

Sirajuddin Muhammad Mirza, also known as Siraju-D-Daulah or Siraj ud-Daula. He was Alivardi Khan’s maternal grandfather’s grandson. Three days after Siraju-D-Daulah was born, his grandfather Alivardi Khan assumed the throne of Nawab of Bengal, and Alivardi Khan thought of Siraju-D-Daulah as a very important person. So, in 1754, he only brought Siraj-Ud-Daula with him, raised him, and named him as his successor. British forces defeated Siraj-Ud-Daula, who had become the Nawab of Bengal after Alivardi Khan’s passing. In the Battle of Plassey was fought in 1757 due to the treachery of Mir Jafar and Jagat Seth.

Siraj Ud Daulah – Role in the Battle Of Plassey

Siraj ud Daulah led to the imprisonment of 146 English prisoners housed in a teeny-tiny room, due to this, 123 of them died from suffocation. A tragedy for Britishers is known as the “Black Hole Tragedy.”
The widespread abuse of trade privileges by the East India Company (EIC) adversely impacted it.
Siraj ud Daulah’s hostility became apparent when they attacked and captured the English fort in Calcutta.

Result of the Battle of Plassey and Significance and Impact

The Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of the British Company’s colonization of India. The British Company indirectly strengthened its political sway over Bengal by placing a puppet, Nawab Mir Jafar, on the throne.
The British Company used Bengal as a launchpad to carry out its imperial aspirations.
The theft of wealth started with theft and progressed to privilege abuse and other forms of abuse.
Mir Jafar gave the British Company Diwani rights over 25 Parganas as a result of the Battle of Plassey. The British Company would now profit from the area’s sales.
Lord Clive and other British officers also received sizable financial rewards from Mir Jafar.
After the Battle of Plassey, the British corporation was solely in charge of Bengali trade and commerce. Due to this, Bengal, a former prosperous province of the Mughal Empire, started to degenerate into a place of hunger, famine, and deprivation.
Due to the cause of the battle of Plassey, the British Company realized that the Indian people could help them conquer India because they were morally weak.

Significance of the Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey led to the transfer of power, which is why it is important. The Battle of Plassey allowed Mir Jafar to ascend to the position of Nawab of Bengal. Mir Jafar was a puppet of the Nawab, and the company only hired him to help with funding. Mir Jafar was unable to satisfy the corporation’s greedy demands because it was Imperial. Thus, Mir Jafar started to lose significance in the company’s imperial game. The British company reached a deal with Mir Kasim, leading to the eventual transfer of control in September 1760. Some historians anticipated that this change in power in Bengal signalled the anticipation of a revolution.

The British Empire’s foray into India began with the Battle of Plassey. The British Empire would experience enormous economic growth over the next 190 years thanks to its strict and constrictive policies. These successes would help shape the British Empire’s geopolitical landscape, encouraging the Indian population to rebel and mutiny, which resulted in many tragic events. The Empire left behind a rich legacy of a political and judicial system, as well as an industrial infrastructure that might not have been available to India, despite being remembered for its negative and oppressive methods.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )

The Battle of Plassey took place in northeastern India on June 23, 1757. The final Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, and his French allies came under attack from Robert Clive’s British East India Company troops.

The Battle of Plassey happened due to the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah objected to the East India Company officers’ unauthorized use of privileges.

The significant Battle of Plassey took place in Palashi, Bengal, on June 23, 1757.

Siraj’s ministers, who were duped and bribed by the British, fought against the Nawab. Mir Jafar, along with other ministers, betrayed Siraj.

Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey in 1757 and captured Calcutta. Before the conflict, there was the Black Hole Massacre and the Nawab Siraj-ud Assault on Daulah in British-ruled Calcutta

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From Trade to Territory

The Mughal Empire ruled most of the Indian Territory, right from the early 16 th century to the mid 19 th century. However, there were a series of eventful incidents that led to the fall of the Mughal Empire and resulted in the powerful Britishers taking over our country . As they took over the country they introduced the concept of trade and then used the same concept against us.

In this chapter, we will look at a brief outline of the series of events that gave the British, the power of our country. It all started with the East India Company arriving at the East.

East India Company Starts Its trade In Bengal

In the year 1651, the first English factory was set up on the banks of river Hugli. The then Mughal king, Aurangzeb, issued a farman granting the company the right to trade duty-free. The Company was not satisfied with only this. It tried to press for more concessions and manipulate the existing privileges. The unfair practices of trade gradually led to battles.

How Did The Trade Lead To Battles?

After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Bengal Nawabs asserted their power and autonomy. They refused to grant the company any concessions.

The Battle of Plassey

On 23rd June 1757, Battle of Plassey was fought. It was a major victory for the British. Alivardi Khan died in 1756 and Siraj-ud-daulah became the Nawab of Bengal. In 1757, Robert Clive led the Company’s army against Siraj-Ud-daulah at Plassey. One of the main reasons for the failure of the Nawabs was that Mir Jafar and his forces didn’t fight the battle. Clive promised Mir Jafar the Nawabi title after the death of Sirj-ud-daulah.

The Battle of Buxar

Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal after the defeat of Plassey. He was a mere puppet in the hands of the British. British and Mir Qasim fought in the Battle of Buxar in 1764. After Mir Jafar’s death, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India company as the Diwan of Bengal and its provinces. In 1764, Robert Clive was appointed Governor of Bengal.

Expansion Of The Company Rule

The process of annexation of Indian states by the East India Company from 1757 to 1857 brought forth some key aspects like the company rarely launched a direct military attack on an unknown territory . After 1764, the company forced the states into a ‘subsidiary alliance’. The Nawab of Awadh and the Nizam of Hyderabad were forced to cede territories and accept the subsidiary alliances.

Question For You

Q. Write a short note on Tipu Sultan.

Ans: Tipu Sultan was the son of Haidar Ali, ruler of Mysore. He was known as the “Tiger of Mysore”. He ruled Mysore from 1782 to 1799. Four wars were fought between the British and Mysore and were known as the Anglo- Mysore wars(1767-1769, 1780-84, 1790-92and 1799). In 1799, the Britishers won the battle of Seringapatam against Mysore where Tipu Sultan was killed.

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Battle of Plassey – Modern Indian History Notes PDF in English & Hindi for all Competitive Exams

October 11, 2023

Battle of Plassey: The Battle of Plassey was a major milestone in the expansion of British influence in India, setting the stage for the broader colonization of the subcontinent in the years to come.

Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey, which took place on June 23, 1757, was a pivotal conflict in the history of colonial India. It marked the beginning of British dominance on the Indian subcontinent and played a crucial role in the establishment of British colonial rule. Here are key details about the Battle of Plassey:

Background:

The battle occurred during a period of intense competition among European colonial powers for control of India. The British East India Company and the French East India Company were among the key players.

Contending Forces:

The British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, had a relatively small but well-disciplined force.
The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula, led the opposing force. He was supported by French troops.
The primary cause of the conflict was the British East India Company’s increasing influence and territorial acquisitions in Bengal, which threatened the authority of the Nawab of Bengal.
Economic factors, such as control over the lucrative trade in the region, also contributed to the hostilities.

Course of the Battle:

The battle took place near Plassey, a village in Bengal.
Clive’s forces, although outnumbered, were able to secure the support of Mir Jafar, a dissident noble who was part of the Nawab’s court.
Mir Jafar’s defection proved critical. During the battle, he withdrew his forces from the fight, causing the Nawab’s army to lose cohesion and ultimately leading to their defeat.
The British East India Company emerged victorious at the Battle of Plassey.
Siraj-ud-Daula was captured and later executed.
Mir Jafar, who had conspired with the British, was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal.
The victory at Plassey marked the beginning of British control over Bengal and paved the way for the expansion of British influence in India.

Consequences:

The Battle of Plassey is considered a turning point in Indian history. It allowed the British East India Company to gain a significant foothold in India, eventually leading to British colonial rule over the Indian subcontinent.
The British established their dominance in Bengal, which was a major economic and political center in India.
The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of diplomacy and intrigue in colonial warfare, as Mir Jafar’s defection played a crucial role in the British victory.
The subsequent Treaty of Allahabad in 1765 further solidified British control over Bengal, granting them significant administrative and revenue-collecting powers.

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Battle of Plassey, (23 June 1757).Victory for the British East India Company in the Battle of Plassey was the start of nearly two centuries of British rule in India.For an event with such momentous consequences, it was a surprisingly unimpressive military encounter, the defeat of the Nawab of Bengal owing much to betrayal.. In India, Britain was represented by the British East India Company, a ...
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The Battle of Plassey was a major battle that took place on 23 June 1757 at Palashi, Bengal. Read a short note on the Battle of Plassey 1757, Causes & Consequences for UPSC preparation.
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Let us look at the chronology of events which must be learned by the UPSC aspirants to write the short note on Battle of Plassey. Here is a chronological overview of the events leading up to and during the Battle of Plassey: 1756: June: Siraj-ud-Daulah becomes the Nawab of Bengal after the death of his grandfather, Alivardi Khan.
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Battle of Plassey. / 23.80; 88.25. The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British East India Company, under the leadership of Robert Clive, over the Nawab of Bengal and his French [1] allies on 23 June 1757. The victory was made possible by the defection of Mir Jafar, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah 's commander in chief.
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The Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757 saw Robert Clive 's East India Company army defeat a larger force of the Nawab of Bengal. Victory brought the Company new wealth and marked the beginning of its territorial expansion in the subcontinent. Not much more than a skirmish, Plassey has often been cited as the beginning of British rule in India.
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Short Note on Battle of Plassey. The historic Battle of Plassey was fought in the year 1757 between the East India Company led by Major General Robert Clive and Siraj-Ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal. The strained relationship between Siraj-Ud Daulah and the British was the main cause of the battle.
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Battle of Plassey. The Battle of Plassey was fought in north-eastern India on 23 June 1757. Troops of the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, came up against the forces of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the last Nawab of Bengal, and his French allies. Clive's victory eventually led to the British becoming the greatest economic and military power ...
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The major difference in the significance of the Carnatic Wars (1740-48, 1749-53 and 1758-63), Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764) is: The Carnatic Wars established British supremacy in trade in India. The Battle of Plassey laid the foundation of British Empire in India. The Battle of Buxar established the British as masters of ...
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The Battle of Plassey was fought between Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah and the British East India Company on June 23, 1757, at Plassey near Murshidabad. In the end, the Nawab of Bengal himself was betrayed, caught, and killed by Mir Jafar, who was then instituted as the new Nawab of Bengal. National Animal of India. Union Territories in India.
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Battle of Plassey was fought on 23 June 1757 between British East India Company and Nawab of Bengal and his French allies under the leadership of Robert Clive. The battle helped the British seize control of Bengal. The Battle of Plassey is considered a crucial event in the history of India. By the mid of 18th century, the empire of later ...
Factors, Significance and Impact of Battle of Plassey
Battle of Plassey - Factors, Significance and Impact . The Battle of Plassey, fought on June 23, 1757, near the village of Plassey in Bengal, marks a momentous turning point in the history of India.This historical confrontation between the British East India Company and the forces of Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, set in motion a series of events that would ultimately lead to British ...
NCERT Notes on the Battle of Plassey for UPSC exam preparation
Small essay on battle of Plassey for IAS exam preparation. Below, we have given an example of a less than 500-word essay on the battle of Plassey that students can use to prepare for the UPSC mains examination. In the year 1757 on the 23rd of June, the British East India company waged a Battle against the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies ...
Battle of Plassey(1757)
The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a watershed moment in modern Indian history, resulting in the consolidation of British rule in India. The East India Company, led by Robert Clive, fought this battle against the Nawab of Bengal (Siraj-Ud-Daulah) and his French Troop.This battle is often referred to as the "decisive event," as it was the source of the British's ultimate rule in India.
Battle of Plassey and Its Significance
The battle took place on 23 June 1757, near the village of Plassey. It was a decisive victory for the British, and it led to their eventual control of Bengal. The battle is significant because it marked the beginning of British rule in India. Before this, the British had only been trading in India. After the battle, they began to take control ...
Short Note on Battle of Plassey
The Nawab also proceeded towards Plassey. The battle was joined on June 23, 1757. It was a battle only in name. The major part of the Nawab's army, led by Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh took no part in the battle. The English lost only twenty nine soldiers while the Nawab lost nearly five hundred. The Nawab was forced soldiers while the Nawab lost ...
Write a short note about Battle of Plassey
The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757 AD. The armies of the British and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daula, came face to face on 23 June 1757 at a village called 'Plassi' on the banks of the Bhagirathi river in the 'Nadiya district', 22 miles to the south of Murshidabad. In Siraj-ud-Daulah's army, while there were patriots like ...
Battle of Plassey: Summary of Historical Significance
The Battle of Plassey led to the transfer of power, which is why it is important. The Battle of Plassey allowed Mir Jafar to ascend to the position of Nawab of Bengal. Mir Jafar was a puppet of the Nawab, and the company only hired him to help with funding. Mir Jafar was unable to satisfy the corporation's greedy demands because it was Imperial.
From Trade to Territory: East India Company, Battle of Plassey ...
The Battle of Plassey. On 23rd June 1757, Battle of Plassey was fought. It was a major victory for the British. Alivardi Khan died in 1756 and Siraj-ud-daulah became the Nawab of Bengal. ... Q. Write a short note on Tipu Sultan. Ans: Tipu Sultan was the son of Haidar Ali, ruler of Mysore.
Battle of Plassey
Battle of Plassey. The Battle of Plassey, which took place on June 23, 1757, was a pivotal conflict in the history of colonial India. It marked the beginning of British dominance on the Indian subcontinent and played a crucial role in the establishment of British colonial rule. Here are key details about the Battle of Plassey: Background:
Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar
1) The Battle of Plassey was fought between the East India Company and the Mughal army. The Battle of Buxar was fought between the East India Company's army and the Nawab Mir Kasim. The two battles are said to be "incidental allies". 2) The Battle of Plassey was fought at the close of a long period of Mughal weakening and decay in Bengal.

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Battle of Plassey, 1757 by Kaushik Roy LAST MODIFIED: 23 March 2023 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199791279-0227

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Factors, Significance and Impact of Battle of Plassey

Battle of Plassey - Factors, Significance and Impact

Alivardi Khan and the British

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Background of the Battle