British Rule between 1757 and 1857 | Battle of Plassey | Battle of Buxar

The Expansion of the British Rule between 1757 C.E. and 1857 C.E.

By this time, the East India Company was in a race to earn more and more money. As per the order passed in Bengal, only the Company availed the benefit of tax free trading; however many officers who were engaged in private trade did not pay the taxes as well. As a result, the income generated from the tax collection in Bengal reduced which in turn was opposed by the Nawab of Bengal, Murshid Quli Khan. This dispute kept on recurring even during the time of Ali Verdi Khan. After Ali Verdi Khan, his son Siraj-ud-Daulah took charge. He got involved into a major battle with the British.

Battle of Plassey

• Between whom was the Battle of Plassey fought? What were its results?

Siraj-ud-Daulah became Nawab of Bengal in the year 1756. He had an overwhelming influence over the British. The British helped the competitors of Siraj-ud-Daulah by conspiring against him so that he would not remain on the throne of Bengal. There were frequent conflicts with the British merchants regarding payment of taxes. When the British merchants failed to pay taxes, which were applicable to both Indian and foreign merchants, the situation came to a boil. He ordered that the British should not fortify the factory, pay the taxes as per the rules and trade as per the terms and conditions. This provocation was enough for Siraj to opted for war, and he succeeded in expelling the British from Calcutta.

The British counter-attacked under the leadership of Robert Clive. Clive bribed Mir Jafar, the commander in chief of Siraj-ud-Daulah, with a promise to confer the throne of Bengal to him and convinced him to join their side. With his help, Robert Clive defeated and murdered Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. This was the first war fought by the Company in India which marked the beginning of the British rule in India. Thus, this war is considered to be a turning point in the history of India.

Battle of Buxar

• Why did Battle of Buxar occur? What was its result?

As promised, the East India Company appointed Mir Jafar as Nawab of Bengal. Robert Clive also went back to England. With the passage of time, Mir Jafar became hostile towards the British. The Company decided to replace him with his son-in-law Mir Qasim. Mir Qasim was an efficient, disciplined and clever ruler. The problem arose between Nawab and the Company on account of non-payment of taxes, which ultimately brought both the forces face to face with each other. In 1763, Mir Qasim was defeated by the Company but he escaped. He reorganized his army along with the forces of Nawab of Oudh, Shuja-ud-Daulah and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

Their combined forces met the Company forces at Buxar in 1764. The British East India Company won the war, and all of a sudden Bengal, Avadh (Lucknow) and Mughal Empire was under their control. Robert Clive was sent to India to take control of the situation. That's how the East India Company, a trading company, emerged as a political power in the subcontinent of India.