Battle of Plassey was the major reason for the consolidation of the 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 British in India.
The battle occurred during the reign of Mughal empire (called later mughals) although post-Aurangzeb’s demise.
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Mughal emperor Alamgir-II was ruling when Battle of Plassey took place.
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 annoyed Siraj. The continuing misconduct by EIC against Siraj-Ud-Daulah led to the battle of Plassey in 1757.
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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 British by the Nawab of Benal and 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 British without Nawab’s permission
- Misleading Nawab on various fronts by British
- An asylum was provided to Nawab’s fugitive Krishna Das
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 in 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.
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Battle of Plassey
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. The major reason 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.
| Participants of Battle of Plassey | Role in the Battle of Plassey |
| Siraj-Ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal) | Involved in Black-Hole Tragedy (imprisoned 146 English persons who were lodged in a very tiny room due to which 123 of them died of suffocation) Adversely affected by the rampant misuse of trade privileges by the EIC Attacked and seized the English fort at Calcutta, it brought their hostility into the open |
| Robert Clive (EIC) | Gave asylum to political fugitive Krishna Das disappointing Siraj-Ud-Daulah Misuse of trade privileges Fortified Calcutta without the nawab’s permission |
| Mir Jafar (Commander- in-Chief of Nawab’s army) | Bribed by East India Company (EIC) Was to be made the Nawab by EIC for conspiring against Siraj-Ud- Daulah Cheated Siraj-Ud-Daulah during the battle |
| Rai Durlabh (Hindu Ruler) | Joined his army with Siraj-Ud-Daulah’s but did not participate in the battle Betrayed Siraj |
| Jagat Seth (Influential Banker) | Involved in the conspiracy involving the imprisonment and ultimate killing of Nawab Siraj- Ud-Daulah |
| Omi Chand (Bengal Merchant) | One of the principal authors of the conspiracy against Nawab and associated with the treaty negotiated by Robert Clive before the Battle of Plassey in 1757 |
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.
Effects of Battle of Plassey
Apart from 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 Battle of Plassey. They can be categorized as:
- Political Effects
- Economic Effects
- Political Effects
The Battle of Plassey resulted at the end of the French forces. Mir Jaffar 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.
Economic Effects
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.
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