The Battle of Plassey: A Brief Overview

 The Battle of Plassey

Alibardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha from 1740 A.D. to 1756 A.D. He ruled the country successfully despite adverse situations. He became successful in suppressing the Marathas and the Bargis. He controlled the merchants of the British East India Company tactfully. But after his death, there appeared extreme disorder in the politics of Bengal. Before his death, Nawab Alibordi Khan nominated Sirajuddaula, the son of his youngest daughter, as his heir to be the next Nawab of Bengal. Alibordi Khan died in 1756 A.D., and then Sirajuddaula became the Nawab of Bengal. His first and foremost problem was to face conspiracies from his own family and relatives. Alibardi Khan had three daughters. Among them the eldest was Ghaseti Begum. She was especially disappointed to see Siraj as the Nawab of Bengal and so she started hatching conspiracies against Siraj. They were being allied by Raja Rajballav, the dewan of Ghaseti Begum; Sawkat Jang, who was the cousin of Siraj and ruler of Purnia and some others. Siraj was tactful to keep Ghaseti Begum under constant vigilance. Siraj captured Purnia by defeating and killing Sawkat following his revolt against Siraj. Though Nawab could suppress the family conspiracy, another web of conspiracy spread outside the palace. Merchants of home and abroad, influential lords of the palace of Nawab and arisctocracy including military general of Nawab, Mirzafar and others were involved in the conspiray. Everyone conspired against Nawab to gain their respective interest. The conspirators started making the background of the battle of Palassy.

The Causes of the Battle of Plassey

The battle of Palassy was such an event for the people of this region that it could cause fearful disaster in the fate of the people of a country. The causes of this event are mentioned below:

• As per tradition, the English did not send any gift to the new Nawab after Sirjuddoula ascended to the throne of Bengal and did not pay a courtesy visit. Nawab became very angry at the English's misconduct.

• The English kept building their fort despite his prohibition.

• The English company having abused the trade conditions, the national merchants started to be losers. Nawab forbade abusing the conditions and ordered to abide by them. The company also defied that order.

• The English refused to pay tax by breaching the agreement with Alibardi Khan. Besides, they also showed arrogance in repressing the public.

• Krishnodas, son of Raja Rajballab, together with the family members taking a lot of riches, took shelter with the English in Kolkata. Nawab sent a messenger to the English to send him back. But the English governor insulted the messenger of the Nawab and drove him away. Before that, during the rebellion of Shawkat Jang, the English supported the rebels against the Nawab.

The arrogant and disobedient behaviour of the English one after another infuriated the Nawab. To teach them a good lesson, Nawab occupied Kolkata at the beginning of June 1756. On the way, he also occupied the commercial office of Kashimbazar. At the abrupt attack of the Nawab, the English fled away, leaving Fort William. A good number of English, including Halwell, had to surrender. Acquitted of captivity, Halwell spread propaganda to debase the Nawab, which is in history known as 'Andhakup Hattya' (Killing in a dark well). In the propaganda, it was said that 146 Englishmen were kept arrested in a room 18 feet long and 10.14 feet wide. Out of them, 123 died of suffocation due to the tremendous heat. This propaganda travelled up to Madras. As a result, agitated Watson and Clive came from Madras to occupy Kolkata. They defeated Manikchand, the commander of the Nawab and occupied Kolkata. When Nawab sensed that he was surrounded by intrigues and enemies, he became submissive towards the English and was bound to sign a disgraceful treaty. In history, it is called the Alinagar Treaty. 

Clive's ambition soared high after getting all the types of privileges provided in the Alinagar Treaty. Taking advantage of the weaknesses of the Nawab, the English occupied Chandannagar Kuthi, belonging to the French, on the excuse of the Seven Years War in Europe. In this state, Nawab made an alliance with the French to teach the English a good lesson. At this, Clive became furious and involved himself in a conspiracy to depose the Nawab.

In this conspiracy, Clive was supported by prosperous merchant Jagatsheth, Raydurlav, Umichand, Raja Rajballav and the chief of the army Mirzafar.

The Event of the Battle of Plassey: 1757 A.D

The Battle of Palassy is a pivotal event for Bengal and the sub-continent. This battle took place in the mango orchard of Palassy on the bank of the Bhagirathi. By this time, Robert Clive steadied his condition and declared battle against Sirajuddoula on the excuse of breaching the treaty. Patriot Mirmadan, Mohonlal and French chief of army Sean Frey fought heart and soul in favour of the Nawab. Mirmadan was killed in the battle. Mirzafar intriguingly stopped fighting, sensing the imminent victory of the Nawab. The death of Mirmadan and the non-cooperation of Mirzafar tensed the Nawab. Mirzafar, the army chief of the Nawab, acted like a silent spectator with his non-cooperation on the battlefield. Mirzafar did not stop conspiring despite the Nawab getting him swear by touching the holy Quran. When the soldiers of Nawab were taking rest, the English soldiers descended on them at the gesticulation of Mirzafar. The inevitable result of which was the defeat of the Nawab.