How was the Battle of Plassey fought ?
The Battle of Plassey was fought between the forces of the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah and the English East India Company, led by Robert Clive. It was fought on 23 June 1757 at Plassey near Murshidabad. A major portion of the 50,000 strong army of the Nawab was controlled by Mir Jafar who was hand in gloves with the British. His men did not join the battle at a crucial time. As a result, the Nawab’s men suffered heavy casualties and he himself left the battlefield after the death of his commander Mir Madan. This was a major blow to the Nawab’s army which was, as a result, easily defeated by the British. Later, the Nawab himself was caught and killed, and Mir Jafar was instituted as the new Nawab of Bengal.
This question is part of UPSC exam. View all Class 8 courses
How was the Battle of Plassey fought ?
Siraj-ud-daulah was suspicious of English activities from the very beginning defying his order the English fortfield settlement in Calcutta ( now Kolkata) in 1756 . siraj objected to in and ordered military action against the British. As the result siraj was defeated by the British and Mir jafir was declared the newab of bengal
How was the Battle of Plassey fought ?
The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757, between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah. This battle played a significant role in the establishment of British dominance in India. Here is a detailed explanation of how the battle unfolded:
Background:
- The British East India Company had gained significant economic and political power in India by the mid-18th century.
- Siraj ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, was unhappy with the growing influence of the Company and sought to assert his authority.
- The Company, under the leadership of Robert Clive, aimed to secure their position and expand their control over the region.
Preparations:
- Clive formed alliances with Mir Jafar, a prominent military commander in Siraj ud-Daulah's court, and other disaffected nobles who were against the Nawab's rule.
- The Company also acquired the support of several regional powers, including the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor.
- Clive planned to capture the strategically important city of Calcutta and destabilize Siraj ud-Daulah's regime.
The Battle:
- The British forces, consisting of around 3,000 European soldiers and 7,000 Indian sepoys, faced the Nawab's army, which numbered around 50,000.
- The battle began with a British attack on the Nawab's camp during the early morning hours.
- The Company's forces had superior artillery and disciplined troops, while Siraj ud-Daulah's army lacked coordination.
- Mir Jafar's forces, who had secretly allied with the British, switched sides during the battle, further weakening the Nawab's position.
- The British were able to break through the Nawab's lines and capture key positions, leading to the collapse of Siraj ud-Daulah's army.
- The battle lasted only a few hours, with heavy casualties on the Nawab's side.
- Siraj ud-Daulah fled the battlefield, but was eventually captured and executed.
Aftermath:
- The British victory at the Battle of Plassey marked a turning point in Indian history, as it paved the way for British dominance in the subcontinent.
- Mir Jafar was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal, becoming a puppet ruler under British control.
- The British East India Company gained significant political and economic power in Bengal, leading to the establishment of the British Raj in India.
- The battle also exposed the weaknesses of the Indian rulers and their inability to resist European powers effectively.
Overall, the Battle of Plassey was a crucial event in the colonization of India by the British East India Company. The victory allowed the Company to expand its influence and eventually establish British rule over the entire Indian subcontinent.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 8 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 8.