The Battle of Plassey (1757) : Effects and Aftermath

 

The purpose of this article is –

• To know the pre-history of Plassey
• To know the contemporary history of ‘The Battle of Plassey’
• To know the impact of ‘The Battle of Plassey’

About Battle

• Date: 23 June 1757
• Fought between the Nawab of Bengal and the British East India Company
• Location: Palashi, on the banks of Bhagirathi river near Calcutta        
• Result: Decisive victory for the British East India Company
• Territorial Changes: Bengal annexed by the East India Company

Causes of the Battle of Plassey

• The rampant misuse of the trade privileges given to the British by the Nawab of Bengal
• Non-payment of tax and duty by the workers of the British East India Company
• Fortification of Calcutta by the British without the Nawab’s permission
• Misleading Nawab on various fronts by British
• An asylum was provided to Nawab’s enemy Krishna Das

Belligerents

Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah	The East India Company
Mughal Empire Principality of Bengal France	Great Britain East India Company

 

Commanders and Leaders

Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah	The East India Company
Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah Mohan Lal Mir Madan Mir Jafar Ali Khan (Defector) Yar Lutuf Khan (Defector) Rai Durlabh (Defector) Monsieur Sinfray	Colonel Robert Clive Major Kilpatrick Major Grant Major Eyre Captain Gaupp

 

Strength

Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah	The East India Company
50,000 men, including 16,000 cavalry and 10 war elephants 53 field pieces (mostly 32, 24 and 18-pounders) 50 artillerymen and 6 field pieces by France	Around 3000 men, including 800 European soldiers 2100 Indian sepoys 100 gunners 8 cannons

 

Casualties and Losses

Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah	The East India Company
Approximately 1500 killed and wounded	Approximately 22 were killed Less than 100 got wounded

 

Aftermath

• According to the treaty drawn between the British and Mir Jafar, the British acquired all the land within the Maratha Ditch and 600 yards (550 m) beyond it and the zamindari of all the land between Calcutta and the sea.
• The treaty also required the restitution, including donations to the navy squadron, army and committee of £ 27,50,000 to the British for their losses.
• No money or agreements were provided to Umichand, a Bengal merchant who was one of the main conspirators against Nawab in the battle.

Effects

Political Effects:

• Mir Jafar was crowned as the Nawab of Bengal
• The French were no longer a significant force in Bengal
• The British turned into the paramount European power in Bengal

Economic Effects:

• Post the victory, the British started imposing severe rules and regulations on the inhabitants of Bengal in the name of tax collection.
• The economy of Bengal was affected severely while the tax and wealth earned from Bengal helped the British to balance all of their trade liabilities.
•  By ousting the French from Bengal, the British got complete control of the Trade ports in Bengal. This region then became the treasury of the British.

Conclusion

• The direct result of the Battle of Plassey is the political growth of the East India Company and the political establishment of the British Empire in the state of Bengal. 
• The East India Company through the puppet government of Mir Jafar acquired Bengal’s trade and commercial control.
• The Battle of Plassey is considered the start of British rule in India.