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The historic Battle of Plassey took place on 23 June 1757 between the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah and the British East India Company. As a result of the battle, the British became the paramount power in Bengal.
BATTLE OF PLASSEY, 1757 FULL STORY
In 1717, the company acquired the rights to trade freely in the entire Mughal Empire. It was also given rights for the movement of goods called dastaks.
Reason: The servants of company were indulged in abuse of dastaks in inland trade and not paying duty. After Alivardikhan died, the French and the British had started the expansion of their fortification.
When Siraj-ud-daulah became the Nawab, he asked the British to stop their fortifications. Both disobeyed the nawabs order.
So, he attacked the British station in Calcutta. The British troops were defeated by the 3000-strong army of Siraj and took many British soldiers and officers as prisoners. The prisoners were kept in a tiny cell in Fort William.
The cell, with a capacity of only 6 people, was stuffed with more than a hundred prisoners. This incident was known as ‘the Black Hole Tragedy of Calcutta’.
Calcutta was renamed Alinagar, and a mosque was ordered to be built inside the fort.
This news reached Madras and British sent Admiral Watson and Robert Clive to Calcutta. And they recaptured Calcutta.
Rober Clive also occupied the French settlements in Chandernagore and ultimately French control came to end in Bengal.
The nawab signed the Treaty of Alinagar with the company on 5th February 1757. As per this treaty, the Nawab agreed to restore the English factories and allow Calcutta’s fortification.
He also withdrew his troops to his capital, Murshidabad.
In the Nawab’s own court, many people were discontent and were hatching conspiracies to overthrow him.
The plotters were Mir Jaffar, Yar Lutuf Khan, Rai Durlabh, Omichund, and other officers in the army. When the company representative at the court, William Watts got wind of this conspiracy, the company decided to support Mir Jaffar.
On 14th June, Clive sent a declaration of war to Siraj. Accordingly, the Nawab’s troops reached Plassey by 21st June 1757. British forces reached the village of Plassey on 23rd
The Nawab had about 50000 men under him and also got French support of about 50 artillerymen.
The British had about 3000 troops, a much smaller force. But, the Nawab’s army had defectors under Mir Jaffar and the other conspirators.
The Nawab lost the battle because of the betrayal of Mir Jaffar.
After the battle of Plassey, which lasted for less than a day, Mir Jaffar was installed as the Nawab of Bengal (which included Bihar and Odisha). Siraj-ud-daulah was captured and killed. They also captured French and Dutch possessions in Bengal.
Robert Clive was made Lord Clive, Baron of Plassey in recognition of his services to the company in Bengal.
BATTLE OF PLASSEY, 1757 IN SHORT
Reason: The servants of company were indulged in abuse of dastaks in inland trade and not paying duty.
Fought Between: Sirajuddaula (Nawab of Bengal) + His French support troop V/S Robert Clive
Treachery: by Mir-Jafar & Mohan Lal (Commanders of Nawab’s army)
Result: Robert clive won & marked Foundation of British Rule in India.
Mir Jafar became the first titular Nawab of Bengal paving the way for British Empire in India
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