European Powers in Bihar: Portuguese, Dutch, French, and Danish | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Introduction

The modern history of Bihar is marked by British colonization and the subsequent struggle for freedom, which eventually led to the formation of independent India and the state of Bihar. This period begins with the arrival of the British and extends to the establishment of Bihar as a state in a free India. Bihar played a significant role in India’s freedom movement.

The Mughal rule in Bihar came to an end with the death of Bahadur Shah, the last Mughal emperor. During the Mughal era, Patna emerged as a prominent trading hub, known for its cotton textiles, silk, indigo, and salt. The city’s prosperity attracted various European countries, including the Portuguese, Dutch, French, Danish, and English, who sought to establish trade relations in Bihar.

Portuguese Influence in Bihar

• The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Bihar during the 17th century. They set up their trading post in Hoogly, Bengal, but regularly visited Patna for trade via water routes and roads.
• The main items the Portuguese bought from Bihar included carpets, ambertees, khassa, and thin cloths. In exchange, they brought spices and china clay, which they used to trade for cotton textiles.

Dutch Presence in Bihar

• In 1632, the Dutch established their factory in the northern part of present-day Patna College. They were interested in trading cotton textiles, saltpetre, opium, and food grains.
• In 1662, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb granted the Dutch trade rights in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha. A Dutch traveler, Tavernier, visited Patna in 1665 and later traveled to Chhapra, a major saltpetre refining center in Bihar.
• There was a dispute among the French, British, and Dutch companies over trade rights for saltpetre. In 1703, a hasbal-hukm issued under Asad Khan addressed the Diwan of Bihar regarding the Dutch trade rights.
• In November 1759, the British defeated the Dutch in the Battle of Bedara. On July 10, 1781, British Major Hardy captured the Dutch warehouse in Patna, and the British East India Company seized Dutch factories in Chhapra and Singhia. However, in 1784, the warehouse in Patna was returned to the Dutch.

French in Bihar

• The French also established trade relations with Bihar, but they were in constant conflict with the Dutch over saltpetre. The French East India Company, founded by Francois Marten in 1664, initially competed with the British East India Company, which became more dominant in Patna.
• In 1734, the French set up a trading center and warehouse in Patna. Tensions between the British and the French escalated, leading to the British capture of Chandannagar in 1757.
• After the Battle of Plassey, the British East India Company expelled the then-General of Bihar from Patna and seized all French warehouses, effectively ending French control over trade in Bihar.

Danish in Bihar

• Danish East India Company: The Danish East India Company operated in two periods:
• First Company: 1616 to 1650.
• Second Company: 1670 to 1729.
• Danish Asiatic Company: Established in 1730, reviving Danish trade in India and Bihar.
• Factory in Patna: In 1774, a factory was built at Nepali Kothi (Patna) to process saltpetre.
• Sale of Settlements: Denmark sold its remaining settlements in India in 1845.

East India Company in Bihar

• Early Factories: The East India Company set up its first factory in 1620 at Alamganj, Patna, to trade saltpetre, which was in high demand in Europe.
• Factory Closure: The Alamganj factory was closed in 1621 due to various reasons.
• Gulzar Bagh Factory: In 1651, the Company established a factory in Gulzar Bagh, Patna, where the site is now a government printing press.
• Saltpetre Production: Bihar, especially around Patna, was a major producer of saltpetre, leading to its trade prominence.
• British Control: The British strengthened their control over Bihar, focusing on regions known for opium production and trading calico cloth in Patna.
• Job Charnock: Appointed in 1664 as the head of the Patna factory, playing a crucial role in the Company’s operations.
• Taxation Issues: In 1680, Shaista Khan, the Subedar of Bihar, imposed a 3.5% tax on the British trade, causing tension.
• Governor Appointments: Various governors, including Saif Khan and Azimushan, interacted with British officials, impacting trade relations.
• Factory Re-establishment: After receiving permission from Azimushan in 1697, the English Factory was re-established in 1703.
• Factory Closures and Reopenings: The Patna factory faced closures and reopenings in 1713, 1717, and 1718, reflecting the changing political and economic conditions.
• Alivardi Khan’s Rule: In 1733, Alivardi Khan became the Naib Nazim of Bihar, later taking control of Bengal and Bihar by 1740, impacting British trade.
• Patna Factory Closure: The factory in Patna was closed in 1750 under Nawab Alivardi Khan’s pressure.

The Battle of Plassey

• Siraj-ud-Daula: Became Nawab of Bengal after Alivardi Khan's death in 1756, and clashed with the English East India Company.
• Robert Clive: Conspired with Mir Jafar to defeat Siraj-ud-Daula in the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
• Mir Jafar: Appointed Governor of Bengal by Clive after the battle.
• English Factories: Established in Bihar, with sole rights to saltpetre trade by 1758.
• Mir Qasim: Replaced Mir Jafar as Nawab in 1760, moved his capital to Munger, Bihar.
• Conflicts: Disputes arose between the British and Mir Qasim, leading to the Battle of Udwanala.
• Battle of Udwanala: On September 2, 1763, the British defeated Mir Qasim, capturing areas in Patna.

The Battle of Buxar

• The Battle of Buxar took place on October 22, 1764. It was fought between the British East India Company, led by Hector Munro, and a combined force of the Mughals under Shah Alam II, Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), and Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh). 
• The British East India Company emerged victorious in this crucial battle.

Aftermath of the Battle

• Following their victory, the British East India Company, under Lord Clive, signed two separate Treaties of Allahabad.
• The first treaty, signed on August 12, 1765, was with Shah Alam II, the Mughal ruler.
• The second treaty, signed on August 16, 1765, was with Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh.

Treaty with the Mughals

• Through the treaty with the Mughals, the British East India Company was granted rights over Bengal and Bihar.
• The Company obtained the right to collect and manage revenues in Bengal and parts of Awadh, which now constitutes a significant portion of Uttar Pradesh.

Administration of Bihar

• The East India Company established the position of Deputy Governor to oversee Bihar.
• Robert Clive appointed Shitab Rai as the Naib (Deputy) Deewan of Bihar.
• After Shitab Rai's death in September 1773, Warren Hastings appointed his son Kalyan Singh as Deewan.
• The general administration of Bihar was managed by a council, with Kheyali Ram and Sandhu Ram serving as Naib Deewans under Kalyan Singh.

Revenue Administration

• In 1770, a 'Revenue Council of Patna' was formed to oversee revenue matters in Bihar.
• This council was later replaced by the position of 'Revenue Chief of Bihar' in 1781.
• During a famine in 1783, Warren Hastings ordered the construction of the Golghar granary in Patna to store food grains.
• The granary, designed by John Garstin, was completed on July 28, 1786, as a measure to cope with famines.

The Revolt of 1857 and Bihar

• The revolt that began at Meerut on 10th May, 1857 very soon spread to large parts of Northern India, including Bihar.
• The Revolt of 1857 was an important landmark in the modern history of India. At that time, Lord Canning was the British Viceroy of India.

Beginning of the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar

• In Bihar, the revolt started on 12th June, 1857, at Rohini (Deoghar) (now in Jharkhand) at the headquarters of 32nd Infantry Regiment. In this revolt, three English officers Lieutenant Norman Leslie, Commander Major Mac-Donald and Surgeon Dr Grant were killed.
• In Patna, a revolt started on 3rd July, 1857 under Pir Ali, a book seller.
• The Deputy Opium Agent of Patna Opium Agency Dr Lyell was killed by mob in Patna.
• This uprising was suppressed. Its leaders like Pir Ali, Luft Ali Khan, Shaikh Ghasila along with a rebellions sepoy named Mahabat Ali and a police Jamadar named Ali were hanged.
• Apart from revolt in Patna, the revolt of 1857 also spread in Tirhut, Saran, Arrah, (Shahabad) etc in Bihar.
• On 25th July, 1857, discontented army revolted in Muzaffarpur by killing some Englishmen. On 25th July, Danapur Cantt too revolted which marked the beginning of widespread revolt in Bihar.
• The mutiny of the 12th irregular cavalry at Sugauli led to the outbreak of a revolt in Champaran and Saran.
• The Maharajas of Darbhanga, Dumraon and Hatwa and their fellow landlords helped the English. Munger remained unaffected by the revolt.

Areas Impacted by the Revolt in Bihar

• The Patna division experienced significant turmoil as both soldiers and civilians united against the British. During the Revolt of 1857, William Tayler served as the commissioner of the Patna division. Gaya also witnessed unrest, with villagers rising up and forming rebel factions.
• The Shahabad region saw Kunwar Singh leading the uprising against the British. In Bhojpur, figures like Jeodhar Singh and Haider Ali Khan established rebel groups.
• In Hazaribagh, local villagers and Santhals banded together to resist the British. Similarly, in Singhbhum and Manbhum, soldiers, Santhals, and other tribal communities joined forces in revolt.
• Danapur also saw soldiers revolting and joining the mutiny. This marked the beginning of the widespread revolt of 1857 in Bihar. However, the British troops managed to suppress the mutiny, executing participants, imprisoning many others, and transporting some to penal settlements.

Contribution of Kunwar Singh in the Revolt

• Babu Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur was the most prominent figure in the revolt in Bihar.
• Born in 1777, Kunwar Singh hailed from a royal Rajput family in Jagdishpur, which is now in the Bhojpur district of Bihar. He actively led a group of armed soldiers against the British East India Company and achieved victories in several battles.
• By July 27, 1857, Kunwar Singh had successfully occupied Arrah and later joined forces with Nana Saheb to defeat the British at Azamgarh. Rebels from various regions, including Danapur, Chota Nagpur, Manbhum, Singhbhum, and Palamu, sought to continue the struggle under Kunwar Singh’s leadership.
• Kunwar Singh had set up an arms and ammunition manufacturing unit in Jagdishpur and stored enough provisions in his mud fort to sustain an army of 20,000 men for six months. His supporters included his brother Amar Singh, nephew Rathbhanjan Singh, and Hari Kishan Singh, with the King of Dumrao also being a close ally.
• The sepoys declared Kunwar Singh as their leader after releasing all prisoners and plundering the treasury. In August 1857, Vincent Eyer captured Jagdishpur and destroyed Kunwar Singh’s fort, but he continued his fight against the British.
• On April 23, 1858, Kunwar Singh’s army defeated a British force led by Captain Le Grand, but he was injured during the encounter. He passed away on April 26, 1858, in his village Jagdishpur. His brother Amar Singh and nephew Hari Kishan Singh continued the fight for some time, but the rebellion was fully suppressed by December 1859.

Spread of the Revolt in Other Parts of Bihar

The revolt against British rule in 1857 spread to various regions of Bihar, where soldiers and civilians united in their fight against the British authorities.

Hazaribagh

• In July 1857, infantry companies in Hazaribagh revolted against the British, led by Madhav Singh.
• The uprising was suppressed by the British, and prominent leaders like Jaimangal Pandey, Vishwanath Shahdeo, and Pandey Ganpat Rai were captured and sentenced to death.

Singhbhum

• Raja Arjun Singh of Porhat and his brother led a revolt against the Company in Singhbhum.
• However, Arjun Singh was arrested in 1859.

Palamu

• The activities of Nilamber and Pitamber made Palamu a center of significant agitation against the British.

Other Regions

• Agitations against the British also occurred in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Champaran, Saran, and Purnea.

Outcomes of the Revolt in Bihar

• The 1857 revolt was ultimately suppressed by the British.
• In response to the widespread discontent, the British introduced reforms, including the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885.
• This act aimed to define and protect the rights of tenants in Bihar and Bengal, addressing grievances against zamindars.

Some Important Leaders of 1857, Mutiny in Bihar

Role of Congress in Bihar's History

• The Indian National Congress was established on December 28, 1885, by A.O. Hume, with the aim of opposing British rule in India.
• During the early sessions of Congress, Bihar was represented by several delegates, including Syed Sharfuddin, Nand Kishor Lal, and Narayan Mehta.
• In 1912, the 28th session of Congress was held in Bankipur, Patna, and in 1922, the 38th session took place in Gaya.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1757: British rule expanded in Bihar.
• 1764: East India Company won the Battle of Buxar.
• 1765: Company granted Diwani rights of Bihar by the Mughals.
• 1786: Granary of Golghar built to manage famines.
• 1700-1800: Period marked by revolts.
• 12th June 1857: Revolt began in Bihar and Deogarh.
• 8th July 1857: Revolt spread to Patna and Danapur.
• 27th July 1857: Babu Kunwar Singh occupied Arrah.
• 1885: Bengal Tenancy Act defined tenant rights in Bihar.
• 1912: 28th Session of Congress held in Bankipur, Patna.