Delve into the British conquest of Bengal, focusing on its significance, the conditions in Bengal on the eve of conquest, and the roles of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj-ud-Daula.
British Conquest of Bengal: Early Contact to Conflict
Bengal on the Eve of British Conquest: Economic Power and Political Influence
Bengal, the richest province of the Mughal Empire, included present-day Bangladesh, and its Nawab had authority over regions that are now Bihar and Odisha.
Exports from Bengal to Europe consisted of raw products like saltpetre, rice, indigo, pepper, sugar, silk, cotton textiles, and handicrafts.
The English East India Company had vital commercial interests in trading with Bengal, as nearly 60% of British imports from Asia consisted of goods from Bengal.
By the 1630s, regular contact between the British and Bengal continued when they established factories in Balasore, Hooghly, Kasimbazar, Patna, and Dacca.
In the 1690s, the foundation of Calcutta by the English East India Company completed the process of English commercial settlement in Bengal.
The Company paid an annual sum of Rs 3,000 (£350) to the Mughal Emperor, who allowed them to trade freely in Bengal.
In contrast, the Company’s exports from Bengal were worth more than £50,000 per annum.
In 1700, Murshid Quli Khan became the Dewan of Bengal and ruled until his death in 1727.
He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Shujauddin, who ruled until 1739.
Afterward, Sarfaraz Khan, an incapable son of Murshid Quli Khan, ruled for a year (1739-40) before being killed by Alivardi Khan.
Alivardi Khan ruled until 1756 and also stopped paying tributes to the Mughal Emperor.
Under the rule of these rulers, Bengal experienced unprecedented progress.
The region of Bengal was fortunate enough to escape the challenges faced by the rest of India, including inter-border disputes, the Maratha invasions, Jat revolts, and external invasions by Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah Abdali.
The population of Calcutta rose from 15,000 (in 1706) to 100,000 (in 1750), and other cities like Dacca and Murshidabad became highly populous.
Many Bengal Governors strongly resented the special privileges enjoyed by the English Company, as it led to significant losses to the provincial exchequer.
The friction between the English commercial interests and the Bengal government became the main cause for conflict between the two.
During a brief period (1757-1765), power gradually transferred from the Nawabs of Bengal to the British, who defeated the former.
Alivardi Khan and the English: Political and Military Tensions
In 1741, Alivardi Khan, the Deputy Governor of Bihar, killed the Nawab of BengalSarfaraz Khan in battle, securing his own position as the new Subahdar of Bengal by paying a large sum of money to the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.
Alivardi Khan ruled for 15 years, during which he successfully resisted the Marathas.
The English took advantage of the Maratha incursions in Bengal, obtaining permission from the Nawab to dig a ditch and erect an entrenchment around their settlement at Fort William.
Later, Alivardi Khan turned his attention to the Carnatic region, where European companies had usurped power, and was urged to expel the Europeans from Bengal.
He died in April 1756 and was succeeded by his grandson, Siraj-ud-daula, the son of Alivardi Khan’s youngest daughter.
Challenges Before Siraj-ud-daula: Internal and External Struggles
At just twenty years old, Siraj-ud-daula inherited many troubles from his grandfather.
He faced rivals like his cousin, the Nawab of PurneaShaukat Jang; a hostile aunt, Ghasiti Begum; a rebellious army commander, Mir Jafar; and a restless Hindu population.
A dominant group in his court, including Jagat Seth, Omichand, Rai Ballabh, and Rai Durlabh, was opposed to him.
To these internal struggles were added threats from the growing English commercial activities in Bengal.
Impulsive by nature and lacking experience, Siraj-ud-daula felt insecure, leading to decisions that proved counter-productive.
He defeated Shaukat Jang and killed him in battle, stripped Ghasiti Begum of her treasures, and dismissed Mir Jafar, appointing Mir Madan in his place.
A Kashmiri officer, Mohan Lal, was appointed overall administrator, functioning almost like a prime minister.
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