[Political situation in Bengal under Nawabs, Battle of Plassey (1757) – causes, course, consequences, Battle of Buxar (1764) and Treaty of Allahabad, Dual Government in Bengal (1765–72), Warren Hastings’ reforms and administrative foundation]
| The British conquest of Bengal marked a pivotal turning point in Indian history, setting the stage for colonial dominance that shaped the socio-political landscape of India. For UPSC aspirants, particularly those preparing for both Prelims and Mains, a thorough understanding of these events — based on NCERT and other standard sources — is crucial. |
Political Situation in Bengal under the Nawabs
Before British dominance, Bengal was one of the richest and most fertile provinces of the Mughal Empire. Post-Aurangzeb, the Nawabs of Bengal enjoyed a semi-autonomous status.
Key Characteristics:
● Autonomous Governance: Murshid Quli Khan, the first Nawab of Bengal, established hereditary rule while nominally acknowledging Mughal sovereignty.
● Strong Revenue Administration: The Nawabs built an efficient system to control the region’s substantial agrarian and trade revenues.
● Commercial Rivalries: Bengal’s prosperity attracted European trading companies, particularly the British and French, setting the stage for
● future conflicts.
Battle of Plassey (1757) – Causes, Course, and Consequences
Causes:
● Commercial Disputes: The British East India Company fortified Calcutta without the Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah’s permission.
● Misuse of Dastaks: Company officials exploited trade privileges, leading to economic losses for the Bengal administration.
● Internal Conspiracies: Key figures like Mir Jafar, Jagat Seth, and Rai Durlabh conspired against Siraj-ud-Daulah, abetted by Robert Clive.
Course:
● The battle was fought on June 23, 1757.
● Siraj-ud-Daulah’s forces were betrayed by Mir Jafar during the battle.
● The British, led by Robert Clive, won decisively.
Consequences:
● Mir Jafar installed as puppet Nawab.
● Foundation of British Political Control in Bengal.
● Increased Military and Financial Power for the Company.
Battle of Buxar (1764) and Treaty of Allahabad
Participants:
● British East India Company vs Combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor).
Causes:
● Mir Qasim’s Independent Policies: Attempted to free Bengal from British dominance. ● Revenue and Trade Conflicts: Continued tensions over misuse of dastaks and tax collection. Course:
● Battle fought on October 22, 1764, at Buxar.
● British, under Hector Munro, defeated the combined Indian forces.
Consequences:
● Treaty of Allahabad (1765):
a. Robert Clive negotiated the treaty.
b. Mughal Emperor granted Diwani rights to the Company over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
c. Shuja-ud-Daulah paid a heavy indemnity.
d. British gained administrative and fiscal control while retaining nominal Mughal sovereignty.
Dual Government in Bengal (1765–72)
Introduced by Robert Clive, the Dual Government system symbolized the de facto rule of the British with de jure Nawabi administration.
Features:
● Company held Diwani (revenue collection).
● Nawab retained Nizamat (law and order).
● No responsibility, only authority for the Company — leading to misgovernance and exploitation.
Consequences:
● Widespread Corruption and Suffering: Absence of accountability resulted in deteriorating conditions.
● Famine of 1770: Exacerbated by exploitative policies.
● Abolition by Warren Hastings in 1772, bringing direct British administration. Warren Hastings’ Reforms and Administrative Foundation
Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of Bengal (1773–85), laid the foundation of British administrative machinery in India.
| Key Reforms: Administrative: ● Abolition of Dual Government: Direct governance initiated. ● Creation of Board of Revenue and civil and criminal courts (Diwani and Nizamat Adalats). |
| ● Appointment of Collectors for revenue administration. Judicial: ● Codified Hindu and Muslim laws with assistance from Pandits and Maulvis. ● English replaced Persian as the language of administration. Political: ● Regulating Act of 1773: Established the post of Governor-General and a Supreme Court in Calcutta. ● Duel with the Marathas and Mysore: Initiated a policy of active military engagement to expand British influence. Economic: ● Five-year revenue settlement introduced. ● Focus on land revenue maximization, often causing peasant distress. Legacy: ● Foundation of Civil Services, judiciary, and centralized bureaucracy. ● Mixed outcomes: While governance improved structurally, exploitation and racial inequality became entrenched. |
Conclusion
The British conquest of Bengal and subsequent administrative transformations laid the groundwork for two centuries of colonial rule. From a strategic perspective, these events illustrate how a trading corporation gradually transformed into a ruling power, leveraging internal dissent, superior military organization, and diplomatic acumen. It also reflects the vulnerability of fragmented regional powers in the face of a unified and resource-backed external force.
| For UPSC aspirants, understanding this transitional phase is vital to grasp the broader themes of colonialism, economic exploitation, and administrative evolution.These lessons remain relevant today in discussions of governance, power dynamics, and institutional development. |
MCQ
1. Who was the first Nawab of Bengal to establish hereditary rule while acknowledging Mughal sovereignty?
a) Siraj-ud-Daulah
b) Murshid Quli Khan
c) Mir Jafar
d) Alivardi Khan
Correct Answer: b) Murshid Quli Khan
Explanation: He was appointed as the Subahdar of Bengal and laid the foundation of hereditary Nawabi rule.
2. What was the immediate cause of the Battle of Plassey (1757)?
a) British refusal to pay taxes
b) Fortification of Calcutta by the British
c) Death of Alivardi Khan
d) Capture of Shah Alam II
Correct Answer: b) Fortification of Calcutta by the British
Explanation: Siraj-ud-Daulah objected to unauthorized British fortifications, triggering the conflict.
3. Which one of the following individuals was not involved in the conspiracy against Siraj-ud-Daulah during the Battle of Plassey?
a) Mir Jafar
b) Jagat Seth
c) Robert Clive
d) Hector Munro
Correct Answer: d) Hector Munro
Explanation: Hector Munro was associated with the Battle of Buxar, not Plassey.
4. Match the following battles with their consequences:
A. Plassey
B. Buxar
1. Grant of Diwani Rights
2. Installation of Mir Jafar
a) A-2, B-1
b) A-1, B-2
c) A-2, B-2
d) A-1, B-1
Correct Answer: a) A-2, B-1
Explanation: Plassey resulted in Mir Jafar’s appointment; Buxar led to Diwani rights through the Treaty of Allahabad.
5. Which battle is regarded as the real foundation of British rule in India? a) Battle of Plassey
b) Battle of Buxar
c) Third Battle of Panipat
d) Anglo-Mysore War
Correct Answer: b) Battle of Buxar
Explanation: The victory at Buxar brought legal revenue collection rights, cementing British rule.
6. Under the Dual Government system, who exercised the actual power of revenue collection in Bengal?
a) Nawab of Bengal
b) British Parliament
c) East India Company
d) Mughal Emperor
Correct Answer: c) East India Company
Explanation: The Company held Diwani rights while the Nawab retained nominal authority.
7. Assertion (A): The Dual Government system led to widespread corruption and suffering in Bengal.
Reason (R): The British had power without responsibility, and the Nawab had responsibility without power.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Correct Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A Explanation: The structure led to unaccountable administration and social distress.
8. The Treaty of Allahabad was signed between:
a) Robert Clive and Shah Alam II only
b) Robert Clive and Shuja-ud-Daulah only
c) Robert Clive, Shah Alam II, and Shuja-ud-Daulah
d) Robert Clive and Mir Qasim
Correct Answer: c) Robert Clive, Shah Alam II, and Shuja-ud-Daulah
Explanation: All three signed the treaty post-Buxar.
9. Which one of the following was not a reform introduced by Warren Hastings? a) Abolition of Dual Government
b) Establishment of Diwani and Nizamat Adalats
c) Permanent Settlement
d) Codification of Hindu and Muslim laws
Correct Answer: c) Permanent Settlement
Explanation: Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793.
10. Who was appointed the first Governor-General under the Regulating Act of 1773? a) Warren Hastings
b) Lord Cornwallis
c) William Bentinck
d) Robert Clive
Correct Answer: a) Warren Hastings
Explanation: The Regulating Act created the office of Governor-General, with Hastings as its first holder.
11. Which language replaced Persian as the official language of administration under Warren Hastings?
a) Hindi
b) Bengali
c) Sanskrit
d) English
Correct Answer: d) English
Explanation: English was adopted for official correspondence and administration. 12. Consider the following statements:
1. The Battle of Buxar was fought in 1764.
2. The Treaty of Allahabad granted the Company Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. 3. Mir Jafar led the Indian forces during the Battle of Buxar.
Which of the above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of the above
Correct Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Mir Qasim led the Indian side, not Mir Jafar.
13. The famine of 1770 in Bengal was exacerbated by which of the following? a) Natural calamities only
b) French invasion
c) Dual Government policies
d) Sudden rise in food prices
Correct Answer: c) Dual Government policies
Explanation: The Company’s exploitative system and lack of accountability worsened the crisis.
14. Assertion (A): The British East India Company gained both fiscal and administrative control after 1765.
Reason (R): The Mughal Emperor granted the Company Nizamat powers in Bengal. a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Correct Answer: c) A is true, R is false
Explanation: The Company received only Diwani rights, not Nizamat powers.
15. The primary objective of Warren Hastings’ judicial reforms was to:
a) Increase Company profits
b) Replace Indian legal systems
c) Create a dual court structure and ensure codification of laws
d) Impose British common law directly
Correct Answer: c) Create a dual court structure and ensure codification of laws Explanation: He introduced Diwani and Nizamat Adalats and codified religious laws with local input.
