Battle of Plassey in 1757: The battle of Plassey was fought between the British (Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal in 1757. This battle led to the British supremacy in India.
Causes for the battle of Plassey :
1. Misuse of the concession pass (Dastaks): The British had received tax concessions from the Mughal Emperors. But, servents of the East India Company were misusing the concessions by openly indulging in private trade for profit. They refused to pay any taxes to the Nawab.
This resulted in the loss of income to the state and was opposed by the Nawab of Bengal.
This was the main cause for the battle of Plassey.
2. Shelter to the French and demolition of fortifications of factories: The British and the French were rivals. The British captured Chandranagore from the French. Siraj-ud-Daula gave shelter to some Frenchmen, which angered the British. Siraj-udDaula tried to develop cordial relations with the British, but soon the relations got strained because the British fearing the French attack began to fortify their factories in Bengal which was counter to the interest of Bengal, when Siraj-ud-Daula protested and demanded for the demolition of all fortifications of factories.
3. Political cause – Encouragement to the opponents of Siraj-ud Daula: Siraj-ud-Daula had many rivals. Soon after his succession to the throne, it was opposed by Shaukath Jung, Ghasti Begum and Rajavallabha who put forward their claims to the throne. The British fully supported the opponents of Siraj-ud-Daulah and ultimately succeeded in bringing his downfall.
4. The black hole incident or tragedy: During an attack on Kasim Bazar, the forces of Nawab besieged Fort William (Calcutta). The 146 civilians comprising of women and children who surrendered to the Nawab’s army were taken prisoners and forced into a small dark cell (15’ x 18’) within the fort and killed in the most inhuman manner. This incident called ‘The Block hole episode or Tragedy’ took place on 20th June 1757.
Course of the Battle: Peace was concluded between the British and Siraj-ud-Daula and the treaty of Aligarh was signed in Febuary 1757. Robert Clive hatched a conspiracy with the commander Mir Jafar against Siraj-ud-Daula. When the arrangements were complete, Clive took position at Plassey (Bhagirathi river). However, when the war broke out, the troops under Mir Jafar remained inactive and Siraj-ud-Daula was defeated and he fled, and got killed while trying to escape.
Results of the battle of Plassey :
1. British domination over Bengal: The British established domination over the political life of Bengal. Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal. He was called a Sovereign but in actual practice he was nothing more than a puppet of the company. He could be removed from the throne any time, by the Company.
2. Territorial gains for the British: As a result, the British gained both in territorial as well as in finances. The Company received the 24 paraganas and other grants. The trade of the British Company greatly flourished and it made huge profits. Robert Clive was appointed as the Governor of Ben gal.
3. Establishing political supremacy: The battle of Plassey left a deep impact on the course of Anglo-French conflict in Deccan. This battle laid the foundation for the British supremacy in India.
