Battle of Plassey
Plassey, Bengal
What happened
Robert Clive led the British East India Company army against Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, whose army commander Mir Jafar had secretly agreed to side with the British. In 1756 the young Nawab captured the British trading town of Calcutta, and Clive retook it the next year. The two armies met near the village of Plassey. The victory was made possible by the betrayal of Mir Jafar, who commanded much of the Nawab's army.
Why it matters
Result: British victory Mir Jafar becomes the Nawab of Bengal and Bengal becomes a British puppet state De facto beginning of the Company rule in India. Leaders: Eyre Coote / Mir Jafar against Siraj ud-Daulah / Diwan Mohanlal. Why it matters: The battle is judged to be one of the pivotal battles in the control of the Indian subcontinent by colonial powers. The East India Company took complete control of Bengal in 1773.
What came next
Mir Jafar was made Nawab but depended on the British.
Did you know?
Siraj ud-Daulah is remembered in Bangladesh and India as a symbol of resistance to British rule.
Timeline
- 1756 CESiraj ud-Daulah captures Calcutta from the British.
- January 1757 CEClive retakes Calcutta.
- 23 June 1757 CEClive defeats the Nawab at Plassey.
- 1773 CEThe East India Company takes complete control of Bengal.