Establishment of British Power in Bengal : Medieval Indian History

The Battle of Plassey is often regarded as the foundation of British rule in India. The English victory turned the power in Bengal over to the Company and led to its eventual conquest of India by the British crown.

The English ascendancy in Bengal proved to be the basis for the expansion of English rule in India.

The conflict between the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula and the English led to the Battle of Plassey held on 23 June 1757.

Robert Clive, the Commander of the British troops emerged victorious by defeating the Nawab’s army The easy English victory was due to the treachery of Mir Jabar, the Commander of Nawab’s army.

However, the victory of the British in the Battle of Plassey marked the foundation of the British rule in India.

In 1764, the English once again defeated the combined forces of the Nawab of Oudh, the Mughal Emperor and the Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Buxar.

The English military superiority was decisively established. In 1765, Robert Clive was appointed as the Governor of Bengal.

In the same year, the Treaty of Allahabad was concluded by which the Mughal Emperor granted the Diwani rights to the English East India Company.

Thus the British power in India was thoroughly established.