British Rule in West Bengal | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

The medieval history of Bengal was primarily shaped by the Pala and Sena dynasties, alongside various Muslim ruling houses. The developments in the late medieval era held immense significance for Bengal and, ultimately, exerted influence on the broader history of India.
Following the Battle of Buxar in 1765, the British East India Company emerged as a formidable power. Post the Revolt of 1857, Bengal came under direct control of the British crown, a dominion that persisted until 1947. After gaining independence, West Bengal witnessed pivotal events such as the Food Movement, the Communist Party of India's split, and the Naxalbari Movement.

British Rule in West Bengal

Dual System of Administration of Bengal 
The dual system of administration was implemented in 1765, following the Treaty of Allahabad, where Shah Alam II granted the Diwani right to the Company. Under Governor Robert Clive, both Diwani and Nizamat rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa were acquired, creating the 'Dual System of Administration' that persisted until 1772. The system, concentrating power in the hands of the Company, was eventually abolished in 1772, bringing Bengal under direct British control.

Bengal Presidency 
The colonial territory in East India under British rule was known as Bengal Presidency, encompassing present-day East Bengal (Bangladesh), West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Tripura. Established through the 1765 Diwani of Bengal treaty, Lord Warren Hastings (1772-1785) integrated the presidency, solidifying British Imperial rule over Eastern India. The introduction of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis aimed to settle land revenue by granting landlords land rights in exchange for fixed payments to the British Government. Despite its failure, this settlement was not extended to the North-Western provinces, which, while nominally part of the Bengal Presidency, remained administratively distinct.