Question

How the Battle of Plassey marked the initiation of British rule in India?

Answer 1

1. Alivardi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal died in 1756 and his grandson Siraj-ud-daula ascended the throne of Bengal.
2. The British took advantage of the New Nawab’s weakness and unpopularity seized power.
3. So, Siraj-ud-daulah decided to teach them (British)a lesson by attacking their political settlement of Calcutta. The Nawab captured their factory at Kasimbazar.
4. On 20th June 1756, Fort William surrendered but Robert Clive recovered Calcutta.
5. On 9th February 1757, the Treaty of Alinagar was signed, whereby Siraj-ud-daulah conceded practically all his claims.
6. British then captured Chandranagore, the French settlement, on March 1757. The battle of Plassey took place between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies.
7. It was fought on 23 June 1757. The English East India Company’s forces under Robert Clive defeated the forces of Siraj-ud-daulah. After the collapse of Bengal, the company gained a huge amount of Wealth from the treasury of Bengal and used it to strengthen its military force.
8. The beginning of the British political sway over India may be traced from the battle of Plassey. It was the most decisive battle that marked the initiation of British rule in India for the next two centuries.