Conquest of Bengal: Rise of British Power in India

Introduction

Beginning with the establishment of trading posts by the British East India Company in the early 17th century, the Company gradually expanded its influence in the region. By the mid-18th century, a series of diplomatic maneuvers, military conflicts, and alliances with local powers culminated in the Company’s effective control over Bengal. This conquest not only secured valuable economic resources for the British Empire but also laid the groundwork for further expansion and dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

Situation in Pre-British Bengal: 

• Bengal was a rich province that exported saltpetre, rice, indigo, pepper, sugar, silk, cotton, textiles and handicrafts to Europe.

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Chronology Of Rulers In Bengal 

• Murshid Quli Khan: Ruled as Dewan of Bengal from 1700 to 1727. 
  • He was succeeded by his son-in-law Shujauddin who ruled till 1739 and this was followed by Sarfaraz Khan ruling for one year.
• Alivardi Khan: Killed Sarfaraz Khan and ruled till 1756. 
  • He also stopped paying tribute to the Mughal emperor. 
  • Alivardi Khan was succeeded by his grandson, Siraj-ud-Daulah.

The Battle of Plassey (1757)

• Prelude to the Battle: Internal rivalries were prevalent in the court of Siraj-ud-Daulah, with Mir Jafar, Jagat Seth and others trying to concentrate their power.
• • The rampant misuse of trade privileges by the British affected Nawab’s finances adversely.
  • Tensions Between the British and Siraj-ud-Daulah: The English were worried that Siraj would collude with the French against its interests in Bengal. 
    • The ‘Black-Hole tragedy’ further increased friction between the British and Siraj-ud-Daulah. 

About the Battle and its Aftermath

• Betrayal of the Nawab: Robert Clive forged a secret alliance with Mir Jafar, Jagat Seth and others who were traitors to the Nawab.
  • The English won the battle easily due to the conspiracy. Now, the English had vast resources of Bengal at its disposal. 
• Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal, and he gave the English Zamindari of the 24 parganas along with money. The English posted a resident at Nawab’s court, and their sovereignty over Calcutta was recognised. 
• Mir Jafar’s Rule of Bengal: Mir Jafar entered into a conspiracy with the Dutch due to his irritation with the English. 
• The Battle of Bidara: Ensued in 1759, and the English won,  English became the supreme European power in the Indian subcontinent
• Vansittart’s Treaty with Mir Kasim: Vansittart, the new Governor of Calcutta, supported Mir Kasim (son-in-law of Mir Jafar) and signed a treaty in 1760. The treaty had the following features: 
• • Mir Kasim ceded districts of Burdwan, Midnapur and Chittagong to the Company.
  • The Company would get half of the share in the chunam (lime) trade of Sylhet.
  • Mir Kasim to pay outstanding dues to the company as well as help finance its war efforts in Southern India.
  • Agreed that Mir Kasim’s enemies were the Company’s enemies, and his friends, the Company’s friends.
• Mir Kasim was an able ruler who undertook steps such as shifting capital from Murshidabad to Munger, reorganization of bureaucracy and remodelling of the army to strengthen Bengal. 

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The Battle of Buxar (1764)

• Prelude to the Battle
  • Mir Kasim asserted independence and belied expectations of the Company.
  • The company misused its Dastaks (trade permits) which caused financial loss to the Nawab and thus led to tensions.
  • Mir Kasim decided to abolish duties altogether, but the British protested against it. This triggered wars between the two, and in response, Mir Kasim formed a confederacy with Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II. 
• About the Battle and its Aftermath
• Major Hector Munro led the English forces and gained a decisive victory over Mir Kasim and his allies. The Mughal emperor also lost to the British which made English a contender for supremacy in the region.
• The Treaty of Allahabad, 1765 was concluded by Robert Clive with the Nawab of Awadh and Shah Alam II. 

• Dual Government in Bengal (1765-72)
• • Introduced by Robert Clive, wherein both the Company and the Nawab ruled.
    • The Company had both Nizamat as well as Diwani rights which it got from the Subahdar of Bengal and the Emperor, respectively. 
  • The Nawab depended on the Company for both funds and forces. In essence, the Nawab was reduced to a puppet ruler. 
  • The Dual system led to an administrative breakdown wherein neither the Company nor the Nawab cared for public welfare. 
    • Eventually, Warren Hastings abolished the  Dual Government System. 

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Conclusion

The conquest of Bengal provided the British with access to vast resources, increased wealth, and expanded trade opportunities, all of which contributed to the growth of British power in India. The conquest highlighted the vulnerabilities of indigenous rulers and the complexities of power dynamics in the region. Ultimately, the British conquest of Bengal set the stage for further imperial expansion and shaped the course of Indian history for centuries to come.