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The Nawabs of Bengal and the Establishment of British Supremacy

1. The Nawabs of Bengal and Mughal Authority

• Mughal Appointments
  • Murshid Quli Khan was appointed as the Governor of Bengal by Mughal Emperor Farrukh Siyar in 1717.
  • He was the last Governor of Bengal to be directly appointed by a Mughal Emperor. After this there was a hereditary rule by Nawabs.
  • After his death, his son-in-law, Shujauddin Muhammad Khan (Second Nawab) was appointed by Emperor Muhammad Shah “Rangeela”.
• Successors of Murshid Quli Khan
  • Line of Succession:
    1. Murshid Quli Khan
    2. Shujauddin Muhammad Khan (Murshid Quli Khan’s son-in-law)
    3. Sarfraz Khan (Murshid Quli Khan’s son)
    4. Alivardi Khan (deposed Sarfraz Khan)
    5. Siraj-ud-Daula (Alivardi Khan’s grandson)
    6. Mir Jafar (betrayed Siraj-ud Daula in Battle of Palasi, first dependent Nawab of Bengal of the British East India Company)
    7. Mir Qasim
  • Mir Qasim, son-in-law of Mir Jafar, was considered the most capable ruler.
    • To escape British interference, he moved his capital from Murshidabad to Munger.
    • In Munger, he modernized his army, established a weapons factory, and implemented financial reforms.

2. Key Battles for British Supremacy

• Chronological Order of 18th Century Battles:
  1. Battle of Ambur (1749) – first major battle of the Second Carnatic War
  2. Battle of Plassey (1757)
  3. Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
  4. Battle of Buxar (1764)
• Battle of Plassey (1757)
  • Date: June 23, 1757
  • Location: Near the Bhagirathi River (or Hooghly River), Nadia district, West Bengal.
  • Parties: British East India Company (led by Robert Clive) vs. Nawab of Bengal (Siraj-ud-Daula).
  • Outcome: British victory, largely due to the betrayal of the Nawab’s commanders (Mir Jafar, Yar Latif Khan, Rai Durlabh).
• Battle of Wandiwash (1760)
  • Parties: British (led by Sir Eyre Coote) vs. French (led by Count de Lally).
  • Outcome: Decisive British victory.
  • Significance: Effectively ended French political power and ambitions in India.
• Battle of Buxar (1764)
  • Date: October 22, 1764
  • Parties: British East India Company (led by Major Hector Munro) vs. a combined alliance of:
    • Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal)
    • Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh)
    • Shah Alam II (The Mughal Emperor)
  • Outcome: Decisive British victory.
  • Significance:
    • The most decisive battle that led to the establishment of British supremacy.
    • Considered the first decisive military success of the English East India Company.
    • Established British control over Banaras and Allahabad.

3. The Grant of Diwani and the Treaty of Allahabad

• The Grant of Diwani
  • The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani (revenue collection rights) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British East India Company.
  • This was a result of the Second Treaty of Allahabad, signed in 12 August 1765.
• Terms of the Treaty of Allahabad
  • In return for the Diwani, the Company agreed to pay the Emperor an annual tribute of Rs. 26 Lakhs.
  • The Company also paid Rs. 53 Lakhs for the Nizamat (administrative expenses).
  • The Emperor was placed under the Company’s protection and given the districts of Allahabad and Kada.
• Key Figures and Aftermath
  • Robert Clive was the Governor of Bengal when the Diwani was granted.
  • As the Company lacked the administrative setup to collect revenue directly, it appointed Indian deputies.
    • Mohammad Raza Khan was appointed Deputy Diwan of Murshidabad.
  • Shah Alam II and his successors (Akbar II and Bahadur Shah II) became pensioners of the East India Company.

4. Key British Figures

• Robert Clive
  • Credited as the founder of the British Empire in India.
  • Commander of the British forces at the Battle of Plassey.
  • Served as the Governor of Bengal twice (1757-1760 and 1765-1767).
  • Forced the Nawab of Oudh to sign the Treaty of Allahabad.
  • Described by British statesman William Pitt as a “Heaven Born General”.
• William Jones
  • An eminent scholar and jurist.
  • Founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta in 1784.

5. Administration and Expansion

• The Nawabs of Oudh (Awadh)
  • Hindu officials held high positions in their court.
  • Raja Tikait Rai served as the Finance Minister (Artha Mantri) for Nawab Asaf-ud-Daullah.
• Early Company Presence
  • The Western Presidency of the East India Company was initially situated at Surat before being moved to Bombay.
• Control of Territories
  • The British established authority over the fort of Prayagraj (Allahabad) in 1797 AD, when it was formally given to them by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan.
• Contact with Tribal Groups
  • After gaining control of Bengal (post-1765), the British soon came into contact with the Khasi tribe.
  • The Khasi later rebelled against the British under the leadership of U Tirot Singh.

6. Miscellaneous Facts

• The Battle of Chilianwala (1849) was an inconclusive battle between the British (under Lord Gough) and the Sikhs (under Sher Singh). Lord Dalhousie was the Governor-General.
• The Battle of Khurda/Kharda (1795) was fought between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, resulting in a Maratha victory.
• Among Indian powers, the Marathas offered the most vigorous opposition to British expansion in India.

Know More About East India Company and Nawabs of Bengal:

• East India Company and Nawabs of Bengal– Old Year Questions and Answers
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