Discuss the causes and effects of the Battle of Plassey.

Give an account of the events leading to the Battle of Plassey. What was its political importance? Discuss.

Ans. 

Causes of Battle of Plassey:

The Battle of Plassey has special political importance in Indian history. This battle brought about a great change in the politics of the country. 

The main causes of this battle were:

1. The idea of establishing British rule in India - 

Though the British had come to India for trade, the political situation of the country made them change their mind. They decided to establish their own empire here. After defeating the French, they planned to defeat the Indian rulers and started implementing their program from Bengal itself. 

2. Sirajuddaula's intimidation of the British - Sirajuddaula was the ruler of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey. He considered the British dangerous for the country. The British were also afraid of him. Before his death, his grandfather Alivardi Khan had said - "Keep an eye on the powers of the European communities within the country. If God had given me more life, I would have freed you from this fear as well - now my son, you will have to do this work..." Alivardi Khan had also once told the British - "You people are traders, what do you need forts for? When you are under my protection, you cannot be afraid of any enemy."

But now the British did not want to remain just traders or live under someone else's rule, they wanted to establish their own rule in India, which is why they fought the Battle of Plassey. 

3. To acquire Bengal - The British wanted to acquire Bengal, which was economically and politically important, under all circumstances. So they needed some excuse to acquire this province, which they soon got in order to fight the Battle of Plassey.

4. Fortification - Sirajuddaula's grandfather Alivardi Khan had clearly warned the British and the French not to build forts, but fortification started again after his death. Sirajuddaula also prohibited fortification but the French Company stopped it while the British paid no heed to it. This soured the relations between Sirajuddaula and the British and a war between them became inevitable.

5. British support to opponents - The British traders were helping the opponents of Sirajuddaula. They gave shelter to disgruntled courtiers and other enemies, which angered Sirajuddaula. 

6. Misuse of facilities - The facilities given to the British by the Mughal rulers were being misused by them. They would pass off Indian merchants' goods as their own to evade customs and would charge customs fees from them. This further soured mutual relations and the prospect of war became evident.

7. Interference in succession matters - The British were siding with Sirajuddaula's rival claimants to the throne. They used to support the widow of the ruler of Dhaka, Begum and her nephew Sujauddin. This angered Sirajuddaula and he was determined to go to war against them.

An enraged Sirajuddaula firmly decided to expel the British from Bengal. In January 1756, he captured the British factory at Cossimbazar. After that he marched towards Calcutta. On 18th June, 1757, the Nawab attacked Calcutta and it came under Sirajuddaula's control. During this time, the infamous Black Hole tragedy occurred. As historians have stated, 146 British were locked up in a dungeon and killed. This incident is famous as the 'Black Hole' tragedy. On 2nd January, 1757, Calcutta came under British control again due to the betrayal of Mir Jafar. Now the British made a plan to defeat Sirajuddaula by bringing Mir Jafar and Seth Amichand to their side. 

Meanwhile, Clive accused Sirajuddaula of breaking the Treaty of Alinagar and on 22nd June, 1757, arrived at Plassey near the capital with 3200 soldiers. Sirajuddaula came to the battlefield with his 50,000 strong army. On 23rd June, 1757 the battle began. Mir Jafar and Rai Durlabh stood silently with their armies. Only Mohanlal and Maarmanda bravely fought the enemies, but with his main allies betraying him, Sirajuddaula's morale broke. He was defeated at the battlefield of Plassey. On 24th June, 1757, he escaped by jumping from a window of his palace with his wife but was captured and killed by Mir Jafar's son Miran.

Effects of the Battle of Plassey:

1. Mir Jafar became the Nawab of Bengal. 

2. The Company obtained the tax collecting rights of 24 Parganas.

3. Amichand was disappointed in this battle. 

4. British rule was established in Bengal.

5. The British were no longer just traders but rulers now. 

6. The Company's trade spread throughout Bengal. 

7. An end to Alivardi Khan's dynasty.

Importance of the Battle of Plassey:

The Battle of Plassey was important in many respects. To understand its importance, the following need to be studied:

1. Economic Importance - Economically, this battle was very advantageous for the British. They obtained immense wealth through loot. The loot from Calcutta and Murshidabad brought huge sums into British hands. Now, the Nawab of Bengal was indebted to the British. The revenue from 24 Parganas etc. increased the Company's income. 

2. Military Importance - Militarily, this battle was not very significant. Clive did not play any major role in it or display any great skill. According to Dr. R.C. Majumdar, "The Battle of Plassey was barely more than a skirmish but its results were more momentous than those of the world's most famous battles."

3. Ethical Importance - Ethically, the effect of the battle was that the profits gained by the British through loot gave them the practice of looting and plundering other places as well. Seeing the dishonesty of Mir Jafar etc., many individuals of native states later took the British side out of greed. 

4. Political Importance - Politically, this battle was very significant. This can be understood on the following grounds:

(i) Greater profits for the Company - With huge economic profits from this battle, the Company got the opportunity to make various political preparations. 

(ii) British control over Bengal - Though the Nawabi system remained in Bengal, it came under complete British control. The British could now appoint and depose Nawabs at will. They removed Mir Jafar and made Mir Qasim the Nawab. 

(iii) Increase in Company's prestige - The Company's ability to appoint and depose Nawabs at will was also an influential step. This increased the Company's prestige and standing among Indian rulers.

(iv) Influence over the South - With Bengal secure, the British turned their attention southwards and strengthened the economic side to defeat the French company in the south. 

(v) Influence over the North - This battle also greatly impacted the north. The British demonstrated their policies at other places too. They had gained complete knowledge of the weaknesses of Indian armies and the lack of integrity of Indians. The victory at Plassey also encouraged the British to fight later battles like Buxar. After the victory at Plassey, the British had become masters of Bengal. Now, there was no one left to rule over it. According to Dr. Ishwari Prasad, "The political importance of the Battle of Plassey is evident from the fact that the British became masters of Bengal. Afterwards, they ruled here for 100 years."