The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22 October 1764 between the forces under the command of the British East India Company, led by Hector Munro, and the combined armies of Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal till 1763; the Nawab of Awadh; and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

The Battle of Buxar took place in 1764, near the town of Buxar in present-day Bihar, India. It was a significant confrontation between the forces of the East India Company and the combined armies of the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The outcome of this battle had far-reaching consequences for the British and solidified their control over large parts of India.

The Background:
Before the Battle of Buxar, the British East India Company had been gradually expanding its influence in India. They had already defeated the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and had acquired the diwani rights (the right to collect revenue) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. However, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daulah, were concerned about the growing power of the British and sought to challenge their authority.

The Parties Involved:
- British East India Company: Led by Hector Munro, the British forces consisted of approximately 7,000 soldiers, including European infantry, sepoys, and artillery.
- Combined Forces: The combined armies of the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Awadh, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II included approximately 40,000 soldiers, comprising infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

The Course of the Battle:
- The battle began on October 22, 1764, when the British forces, positioned near the village of Buxar, were attacked by the combined armies.
- The British initially suffered heavy casualties due to the superior numbers and firepower of the enemy. However, they managed to hold their ground and repel the attacks.
- The turning point in the battle came when the British were able to capture a key position defended by the Nawab of Awadh's troops.
- The combined forces, facing heavy losses and lacking coordination, eventually retreated from the battlefield.

The Aftermath:
The Battle of Buxar had significant consequences for all parties involved:

- British East India Company: The victory at Buxar further strengthened the British East India Company's position in India. It allowed them to consolidate their control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and paved the way for further expansion in the region.
- Nawab of Bengal and Nawab of Awadh: The defeat at Buxar severely weakened the Nawabs' authority and forced them to recognize the British as the dominant power in the region. They were reduced to puppet rulers under the British.
- Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II: The battle marked a decline in the Mughal Empire's power and influence. Shah Alam II was taken as a virtual prisoner by the British and lost control over large parts of his empire.

In conclusion, the Battle of Buxar was a decisive engagement that solidified the British East India Company's control over large parts of India. It marked a turning point in the power dynamics of the region and had lasting consequences for the British, the Nawabs, and the Mughal Empire.

1764