Battle of Plassey
Notes
The Battle of Plassey (23 June 1757) was fought between the English East India Company (Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Bengal, at Palashi on the Bhagirathi near Murshidabad.
Background
- Siraj-ud-Daulah succeeded his grandfather Alivardi Khan in April 1756.
- Causes of conflict: the Company's misuse of dastaks, unauthorised fortification of Calcutta, and its shelter to Krishna Das, who had fled with the treasure.
- Siraj captured Cossimbazar and Fort William (June 1756). The Black Hole tragedy (20 June 1756), described by J.Z. Holwell, is a disputed incident (146 prisoners; 23 survived, per Holwell).
- Clive and Admiral Watson retook Calcutta in January 1757; the Treaty of Alinagar (9 February 1757) restored the Company's privileges.
The conspiracy
- Conspirators: Mir Jafar (Commander-in-Chief), Rai Durlabh, Yar Lutuf Khan, the banker Jagat Seth and Amir Chand (Omichand).
- Clive's double treaty: a forged red treaty, with Admiral Watson's signature falsified, falsely promised Omichand a large share; the real (white) treaty did not.
The battle
- Company army: about 3,000 men (about 950 Europeans); Siraj's army: about 50,000.
- Mir Madan and Mohan Lal fought loyally; Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh and Yar Lutuf Khan stayed neutral. A rainstorm hampered the Nawab's artillery. Siraj fled and was captured and killed by Miran, Mir Jafar's son (2 July 1757).
Consequences
- Mir Jafar became Nawab, a puppet of the Company. The Company obtained the zamindari of the 24 Parganas, large sums from the Nawab's treasury (the "Plassey plunder"), and monopoly privileges. Clive received a large personal reward and later a jagir.
- Bengal's wealth financed the Company's conquests (the drain of wealth begins). The Company moved from trade to political power.
- Mir Jafar was replaced by Mir Qasim (1760), who ceded Burdwan, Midnapore and Chittagong.
Significance: won by conspiracy and betrayal, not by military strength; it marked the start of British political dominance, though Buxar (1764) was the decisive military victory.
Key Points
- 23 June 1757; Clive vs Siraj-ud-Daulah.
- Mir Jafar betrayed; Mir Madan and Mohan Lal loyal.
- Double treaty and Omichand.
- Mir Jafar installed; 24 Parganas to the Company.
- Beginning of British rule and the drain of wealth.
MCQs
Q1. Who was the commander who betrayed Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey? (a) Mir Qasim (b) Mir Jafar (c) Mir Madan (d) Mohan Lal Ans: (b).
Q2. The "Black Hole tragedy" took place in: (a) 1750 (b) 1756 (c) 1757 (d) 1764 Ans: (b). 20 June 1756.
Q3. The Treaty of Alinagar (1757) was signed between: (a) Siraj-ud-Daulah and the Company (b) Mir Jafar and the Company (c) Mir Qasim and the Company (d) Shah Alam II and the Company Ans: (a).