Explain the battle of plassey describing its causes events and consequences
Answers
The Battle of Plassey was a battle that
took place on June 23, 1757, on the
banks of the Bhagirathi River, about
150 km north of Calcutta.The battle
was between Siraj Ud Daulah, the last
independent Nawab of Bengal, and
the forces of the British East India
Company. Siraj-ud-Daulah's army
commander had defected to the
British, causing his army to collapse.
After this defeat, the entire province
of Bengal passed to the Company,
and this battle is today seen as one
of the pivotal battles leading to
British Empire in India.
The ostensible reason for the battle
was Siraj-ud-Daulah's earlier attack
and capture of Fort William, Calcutta
(which he renamed to Alinagar)
during June, 1756, but the battle is
today seen as part of the geopolitical
ambition of the East India Company
and the larger dynamics of colonial
conquest.
This conflict was precipitated by a
number of disputes:
The illegal use of Mughal Imperial
export trade permits (dastaks)
granted to the British in 1717 for
engaging in internal trade within
India. The British cited this permit as
their excuse for not paying taxes to
the Bengal Nawab.
British interference in the Nawab's
court, and particularly their support
for one of his aunts, Ghaseti Begum.
The son of Ghaseti's treasurer had
sought refuge in Fort William and
Siraj demanded his return.
Additional fortifications with
mounted guns had been placed on
Fort William without the consent of
the Nawab, and;
Their policy of favouring Hindu
Marwari merchants such as Jagat
Sheth .