what steps did the nawab of Bengal take to protect Bengal from exploitation?
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The East India Company’s conquest of Bengal began when a new nawab, named Siraj, challenged the increasing power of the British. Worried about recent French incursions along the coast, the British built Fort William in Calcutta, which infuriated Siraj: “You are merchants. What need have you for a fortress? Being under my protection you have nothing to fear” (Keay 299). Still, the British refused to stop building. So, in 1756, Siraj attacked Fort William in Calcutta with 30,000 troops. One thousand British settlers evacuated, including the military commanders, leaving one hundred or so behind. After the nawab’s soldiers easily conquered the fort, they crammed the British prisoners into a small, dark basement. The majority of the prisoners slowly suffocated to death—only 23 survived (Robins 69). A British military officer wrote a terrifying and vivid account of how he endured the “Black Hole” of Calcutta, and it created a stir back in England (Keay 300-304). The British lost Calcutta. It was a military disaster. But, the description of the treatment of the surrendered soldiers sparked wide spread public support for the subsequent conquest of Bengal.

As it turned out, it fell to a young, impetuous, and inexperienced Company colonel, Robert Clive, to change the course of British and Indian history. Fast moving events prevented the Company directors in London from efficiently communicating orders to Clive in India. It took six months on average to travel or communicate one way between India and Britain, and this was an emergency (Peers 11). As the “man on the spot,” Clive from the outset dreamed of conquest: “I flatter myself that this expedition will not end with the retaking of Calcutta only—and that the Company’s estate in these parts will be settled in a better and more lasting condition than ever” (Robins 69).
The East India Company’s conquest of Bengal began when a new nawab, named Siraj, challenged the increasing power of the British. Worried about recent French incursions along the coast, the British built Fort William in Calcutta, which infuriated Siraj: “You are merchants. What need have you for a fortress? Being under my protection you have nothing to fear” (Keay 299). Still, the British refused to stop building. So, in 1756, Siraj attacked Fort William in Calcutta with 30,000 troops. One thousand British settlers evacuated, including the military commanders, leaving one hundred or so behind. After the nawab’s soldiers easily conquered the fort, they crammed the British prisoners into a small, dark basement. The majority of the prisoners slowly suffocated to death—only 23 survived (Robins 69). A British military officer wrote a terrifying and vivid account of how he endured the “Black Hole” of Calcutta, and it created a stir back in England (Keay 300-304). The British lost Calcutta. It was a military disaster. But, the description of the treatment of the surrendered soldiers sparked wide spread public support for the subsequent conquest of Bengal.

As it turned out, it fell to a young, impetuous, and inexperienced Company colonel, Robert Clive, to change the course of British and Indian history. Fast moving events prevented the Company directors in London from efficiently communicating orders to Clive in India. It took six months on average to travel or communicate one way between India and Britain, and this was an emergency (Peers 11). As the “man on the spot,” Clive from the outset dreamed of conquest: “I flatter myself that this expedition will not end with the retaking of Calcutta only—and that the Company’s estate in these parts will be settled in a better and more lasting condition than ever” (Robins 69).
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