Battle of Plassey: The Begining Phase of 200 Years British Dominance

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The geographical character and the regular rise and fall of rulers played a significant role in the political dynamics of Bengal, making it one of the politically active regions with continuous changes and transformations along its geographical boundaries. Alongside political factors, economic influences have also played a regular role in shaping the landscape of this region, inspiring the rulers to take an active role in fostering economic development.

The continuous changes in this region’s political landscape have encouraged rulers to assume a liberated role. Furthermore, both economic and political reasons have attracted foreign traders to Bengal, leading to the subjugation of Bengal under colonial rule for two hundred years.

The Battle of Plassey:

The Battle of Plassey took place in 1757, marking the beginning of Company rule in Bengal, even though the sun of Bengal’s independence had set a decade earlier. In the Battle of Plassey, Bengal’s Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula faced defeat against the English forces, which consisted of only a few thousand troops. Mohan Lal was the chief commander on Nawab Siraj’s side, while Mir Jafar led the treacherous cavalry.

Colonel Robert Clive led the English forces. Nawab Siraj’s army had fifty thousand soldiers, but only five thousand actively participated in the battle.Mir Jafar, Khuda-i-Yar Lutf Khan, and others betrayed Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula. On the other hand, some noble commanders like Umichand, Jagat Seth, Raja Rajballav, Maharaja Swarup Chand, also betrayed their allegiance. The betrayal by Mir Jafar and others led to the British victory at Plassey, changing the course of Bengal’s history and laying the foundation for British dominance in the region.

After being defeated in the Battle of Plassey, Nawab Siraj quickly returned to the capital, Murshidabad, attempting to defend it. He took measures to secure the capital by releasing funds from the royal treasury and gathering resources, but instead of defending the capital, he retreated. In response to the deteriorating situation, Nawab Siraj abandoned the capital in disguise. Later, he was captured by Mir Miran, and under Mir Miran’s approval, he was executed in prison.

According to historians, the responsibility for the loss of Bengal’s independence is attributed more to the betrayal by Bengal’s military commanders and nobles than to the valor of the English forces. In this context, the failed leadership of Nawab Siraj also played a significant role. Subsequently, Mir Jafar assumed power, with the support of Colonel Clive, and took his place on the throne.

Historians argue that even if Mir Jafar had not betrayed, Bengal might not have remained independent due to the superior military strength of the English. However, Mir Jafar’s betrayal expedited the process of British dominance in Bengal.

The aftermath of the Battle of Plassey led to Mir Jafar’s rise to power. If Mir Jafar had not betrayed, historians question whether Bengal could have remained independent or if it would have still fallen under external control.

After the Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar:

After the Battle of Plassey, Mir Jafar and his associates quickly rose to power in Bengal. The battle, fought in 1757, marked a turning point in the region’s history as it paved the way for British influence and control.

Mir Jafar, who had played a key role in betraying Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula during the Battle of Plassey, was rewarded by the British with the throne of Bengal. He became the puppet Nawab under the British East India Company’s control. This transition in leadership marked the beginning of the Company’s direct influence in Bengal.

Mir Jafar’s rule, often referred to as the “Nawabi of Mir Jafar,” is characterized by subservience to the British. He served as a compliant ruler, implementing policies favorable to the British interests. This period saw a significant shift in Bengal’s political landscape, with the British East India Company effectively controlling the administration through their puppet Nawabs.

The Battle of Plassey and the subsequent ascendancy of Mir Jafar signified the start of British dominance in Bengal, setting the stage for the Company’s expansion and eventual control over large parts of India.

The Indian Subcontinent:

As the vast Mughal Empire emerged, Europe was divided into several kingdoms and principalities engaged in frequent wars with defined boundaries. Due to the continuous warfare, European military powers rapidly advanced in military technology, and the use of firearms, including the widespread use of artillery, became prevalent.

The strategic advantage of having superior military technology in comparison to other military powers motivated Europeans to initiate large-scale production of iron and steel. The production of iron and steel allowed for the creation of naval vessels that were considerably lighter than those made of wood. These iron-built ships, in addition to being lighter, could carry more weight, allowing European ships to cover longer distances quickly. Similar technology was applied to weaponry as well.

The adoption of such technologies, driven by the competitive advantage it provided in warfare, led to the industrial-scale production of iron and steel in Europe. This shift in technology not only influenced the military but also had a significant impact on commerce. The lightweight and powerful European ships were capable of covering long distances, facilitating their engagement in global trade.

This technological advancement paved the way for European powers to establish dominance in various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas. In essence, the rapid progress in military technology and the subsequent use of this technology in commerce opened new avenues for European powers, enabling them to expand their influence globally.

When the empires of Europe were advancing in technological progress, the Mughal emperors were occupied with the construction of monuments, driven by the desire to leave their mark in history. Despite having several times more revenue than the European countries, the rulers of the Indian subcontinent failed to invest attention wisely due to misplaced priorities.

A notable example of this contrast is the construction of the Taj Mahal during the Mughal Empire. The Taj Mahal was built over two decades, employing between fifteen to twenty thousand workers. The foundation of the Taj Mahal was laid with a considerable expenditure of precious gemstones.

Although the Taj Mahal generates significant revenue for the Indian government today, for those who funded its construction, it was a symbol of extravagant spending. The extravagant affection of Emperor Shah Jahan for architecture resulted in a threefold increase in the tax rate to meet the expenses.

In contrast, the latest attempt to safeguard the independence of Bengal was the Battle of Buxar, where Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam joined forces against the British. Following defeats in the battles of Geriah, Katwa, and Udaynala, the Battle of Buxar ended in a regrettable defeat for Mir Qasim.

Emperor Shah Alam’s alliance with the British led to a significant increase in revenue collection rates for the victorious British. The defeats in these battles were attributed to the superior military tactics and modern, lightweight weaponry used by the British.

The last attempt to preserve independence in Bengal resulted in a crushing defeat at the Battle of Buxar, where Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal, was defeated by the British. Emperor Shah Alam’s collaboration with the British marked the downfall of Bengal to British rule. The British victories in these battles were due to their superior military leadership and advanced and lightweight weaponry.

Despite the extensive proliferation of architectural craftsmanship under the Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent, the rulers did not build the necessary political power to stand independently against the European powers who were advancing in technological progress.

After Emperor Shah Jahan’s era, the Mughal emperors were mostly preoccupied with their love for architecture rather than actively investing in the political power needed to stand independently against the European powers. One prominent example of this was the construction of the Taj Mahal. The construction of the Taj Mahal spanned two decades and involved the labor of fifteen to twenty thousand workers.

The foundation was laid using precious gemstones. Although the Taj Mahal contributes significantly to the Indian government’s revenue today, for those who funded its construction, it symbolized extravagant spending. Emperor Shah Jahan’s affection for architecture resulted in a threefold increase in the tax rate to meet the expenses.

In contrast, the European powers actively built and consolidated political power to stand independently. The weakness of the rulers in the Indian subcontinent became evident during the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s time. Despite the vast territorial extent of the Mughal Empire, Aurangzeb chose to stay outside Delhi for almost nine years, focusing only on military campaigns.

Aurangzeb’s military campaigns were mostly against internal powers that had once fought together for the expansion of the Mughal Empire. The nine-year-long internal conflicts weakened the Mughal Empire significantly. Emperor Aurangzeb’s favorite province, Bengal, played a crucial role in funding his military campaigns.

However, the war expenses led to a substantial increase in taxation, burdening the already distressed economy. The last attempt to preserve independence in Bengal was the Battle of Buxar, where Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula and Mughal Emperor Shah Alam collaborated against the British.

However, this attempt ended in defeat, primarily due to the superior military tactics and modern weaponry used by the British. In conclusion, despite the remarkable architectural achievements of the Mughal Empire, their lack of political foresight and investment in military power left them vulnerable to European dominance. The European powers, with their skillful and strategic leadership, surpassed the rulers of the Indian subcontinent in terms of political acumen and military prowess.

uring the Mughal administration, there was no significant connection between the rulers and the common people. The collection of revenue and taxes from the local zamindars and taluqdars was the responsibility of the rulers, but there was no regular interaction or relationship established with the general populace.

The lack of a connection between the rulers and the people led to minimal upheaval among the commoners despite frequent changes in governance in Bengal.The political processes, devoid of any involvement or significance of the common people, made political changes inconsequential to them. The rulers of Bengal faced crises without any substantial response or resistance from the populace.

Even during critical moments, such as when Nawab Siraj’s dead body was paraded through Murshidabad or after the Battle of Buxar when the British took control, there was no organized opposition from the common people.The Mughal rulers created an atmosphere of fear among the general population to ensure the smooth collection of revenue for the royal treasury. The rulers instilled a culture of fear, making the common people hesitant to resist or oppose the authority. This fear-based culture persisted even during the transition of power to the British.

The Mughal revenue administration established a culture of intimidation and fear, deterring the common people from actively participating in political processes. Even when the British took over, the ingrained fear culture made it challenging for the general populace to organize any significant resistance.

Responsibility for the subjugation of Bengal:

In Bengal, there was a regular turnover of rulers due to political instability, often resulting from assassinations and power struggles. The prevailing political circumstances made it challenging to find experienced leaders, and there was a lack of political consciousness among the rulers.

Consequently, a powerful class, known as the aristocracy or “kulins,” emerged, and internal conflicts for political awareness and power determination became regular occurrences.

Contrary to the political systems in European city-states, where assemblies played a crucial role in decision-making, Bengal’s rulers relied on collaboration with local aristocrats. The political processes in Bengal were distinct, with the common people remaining outside the scope of regular political involvement.

Under the leadership of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, a similar lack of political consciousness was observed, but efforts were made to unite the military forces to resist external threats. The fall of Siraj-ud-Daulah, a favorite nephew of Alivardi Khan, played a significant role in the internal conspiracies within the royal family and the role of the aristocracy.

The Burden of Subjugation:

In the eyes of every individual, the motherland is sacred. Those who have contributed to subjugation in this land of rivers, meadows, and moonlight are considered perpetrators of abhorrent deeds. Though Mir Jafar expedited the end of subjugation, the contemporary socio-political and economic realities made subjugation almost inevitable in South Asia. Similarly, Bengal also faced subjugation as an unavoidable event. The preparation for subjugation was not present in this subcontinent.

The relevance of these words will be further evident in the future as we delve into the direction of our independence movement. Post the Second World War, the Indian subcontinent witnessed the establishment of organized political institutions and organizations that played crucial roles in the struggle for independence.

The educated middle class, which held significant importance in these political movements, spread political consciousness throughout the country. The political culture of awareness developed by the middle class eventually influenced the nation at large.

The political status of the agrarian class in the region is still active, with no significant changes in its position. The development of political independence and the evolution of awareness of civil rights did not occur in the Indian subcontinent, which is essential for fostering a culture of political consciousness.

These insights shed light on the roles of the aristocracy, especially the kulins, and the leadership of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in shaping the political landscape of Bengal during that period.