The Anglo-French Struggle for Supremacy: the Carnatic Wars, Causes for the English Success and the French Failure.
Immediate Cause of Rebellion. Offensive and Support. Retreat and Further Conflict. Resolution and Aftermath. Role of Nur JahanEarly Life and Marriage.
Family Influence and Political Rise. Role in Governance and Administration. Cultural Contributions and Legacy. Relationship with Jahangir and Shah JahanPolitical
and Administrative Developments. Jahangir's Reign and Challenges. Nur Jahan's Influence and Succession Issues.
The East India Company officials misused trade privileges granted by the Mughal Empire, negatively impacting Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula of Bengal.
The English fortified their settlement in Calcutta without the nawab’s permission, raising suspicions and angering Siraj-ud-Daula.
The Company further provoked the nawab by providing asylum to Krishna Das, a political fugitive and the son of Raj Ballabh, who had fled with immense treasures against the nawab's orders.
The Company feared that Siraj-ud-Daula would drastically reduce their trade privileges and align with the French, their European rivals in Bengal.
In response to these provocations, Siraj-ud-Daula attacked and seized the English fort at Calcutta, making the underlying hostilities between the two parties overt.
Following the capture of Calcutta, it is alleged that Siraj-ud-Daula imprisoned 146 Englishmen in a small, cramped room (known as the "Black Hole"), leading to the suffocation deaths of 123 of them.
This incident, known as the 'Black Hole Tragedy', has been widely propagated, although many historians either doubt its authenticity or believe the number of victims was significantly lower than reported.
Robert Clive arrived in Calcutta from Madras with a strong force, significantly strengthening the English position in Bengal.
Clive forged a secret alliance with key conspirators against the nawab: Mir Jafar (Siraj's military commander), Rai Durlabh, Jagat Seth (a powerful banker), and Omichand.
According to their agreement, Mir Jafar was promised the nawabship in exchange for supporting the Company.
The alliance ensured that the outcome of the Battle of Plassey was decided even before it began.
Despite Siraj-ud-Daula's 50,000-strong force, the conspiracy among his officials led to their defeat by Clive's much smaller force.
Siraj-ud-Daula was captured and later murdered on the orders of Mir Jafar’s son, Miran.
The victory at Plassey gave the English vast resources of Bengal and control over its trade and commerce.
Mir Jafar was installed as the Nawab of Bengal, rewarding the English with substantial sums of money and the zamindari (land revenue rights) of 24 parganas (districts).
The battle marked a pivotal moment, laying the foundation for British political and military dominance in India.
It established the military supremacy of the English in Bengal, eliminating their main European rivals, the French.
The English obtained territorial grants for maintaining a properly equipped military force, enhancing their prestige.
Despite no apparent change in the form of government, Clive held supreme control over Bengal’s affairs, and the new nawab, Mir Jafar, depended on Clive for maintaining his position.
The sovereignty of the English over Calcutta was recognized, and they posted a Resident at the nawab’s court to oversee affairs.
Mir Jafar, increasingly irritated by Clive’s interference, conspired with the Dutch at Chinsura, but they were defeated by the English at Bedara in November 1759.
Mir Jafar's treachery and his inability to meet financial commitments to the Company led to tensions.
Following the death of Miran (Jafar’s son), a struggle for the nawabship ensued between Mir Kasim (Jafar’s son-in-law) and Miran’s son.
The new Governor of Calcutta, Vansittart, supported Mir Kasim’s claim after a treaty was signed in 1760.
The treaty's key terms were:
Mir Kasim ceded the districts of Burdwan, Midnapur, and Chittagong to the Company.
The Company received half of the chunam (lime) trade in Sylhet.
Mir Kasim agreed to pay off outstanding dues to the Company.
Mir Kasim promised to pay Rs 5 lakh to finance the Company’s war efforts in southern India.
It was agreed that the enemies and friends of Mir Kasim would also be the enemies and friends of the Company.
Tenants of the nawab’s territory were not allowed to settle in the Company’s lands and vice-versa.
Under Company pressure, Mir Jafar resigned in favor of Mir Kasim, receiving a pension of Rs 1,500 per annum.
Mir Kasim, considered the most capable successor of Alivardi Khan, relocated the capital from Murshidabad to Munger in Bihar to maintain a safe distance from the Company at Calcutta.
He reorganized the bureaucracy, appointing officials of his choice to ensure loyalty and efficiency.
He remodeled the army to enhance its skill and efficiency, preparing to assert his independence and resist Company interference.
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