Battle of Plassey

Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey, 23 June 1757

The Battle of Plassey was a decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies on 23 June 1757. The battle took place at Palashi on the banks of the Bhagirathi River in Bengal Subah, part of the Mughal Empire.

Background

The British East India Company had been expanding its influence in India, competing with the French East India Company and local rulers. The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, was opposed to the British presence and their fortifications in Calcutta. Tensions escalated when Siraj ud-Daulah captured Calcutta in 1756, leading to the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta incident.

Robert Clive, a British officer, was sent to recapture Calcutta. After successfully retaking the city, Clive sought to expand British influence in Bengal. He formed an alliance with discontented local leaders, including Mir Jafar, who was promised the position of Nawab in exchange for his support against Siraj ud-Daulah.

The Battle

The battle commenced on the morning of 23 June 1757. The British forces, numbering around 3,000, faced a much larger army of approximately 50,000 troops under Siraj ud-Daulah. However, the British had superior artillery and the support of Mir Jafar, who withheld his troops from the battle.

The battle was marked by a heavy downpour, which rendered the Nawab's gunpowder wet and ineffective. The British, having protected their supplies, were able to maintain their firepower. The Nawab's forces were thrown into disarray, and Siraj ud-Daulah fled the battlefield.

Aftermath

The victory at Plassey was a turning point in the history of British India. It marked the beginning of British political and military dominance in India. Mir Jafar was installed as the Nawab of Bengal, but he was effectively a puppet ruler under British control.

The wealth gained from Bengal helped finance further British expansion in India and contributed to the Industrial Revolution in Britain. The battle also set the stage for the eventual establishment of the British Raj in India.

Legacy

The Battle of Plassey is often cited as the start of British colonial rule in India. It demonstrated the effectiveness of European military tactics and the importance of alliances with local rulers. The battle is remembered as a significant event in both Indian and British history.

See also

• Seven Years' War
• British East India Company
• Robert Clive
• Mir Jafar

References

• Keay, John. India: A History. HarperCollins, 2000.
• Dalrymple, William. The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019.

External links

• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Battle of Plassey