Conquest Of Bengal

Question 1

During that time, which provinces did the kingdom of Bengal include?

Answer 1

Orissa, Bengal, Bihar(present day Bihar and Jharkhand)

Question 2

What is Dastak?

Answer 2

Dastak was a free pass sold by the British which exempted European traders, Especially British traders, from paying customs duties.

Question 3

How did the Battle of Plassey start?

Answer 3

Due to the misuse of rights by the British caused the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula to attack the English factory at Kasimbazar and capture fort William. The British retaliated by capturing Calcutta under the leadership of Robert Clive who accused the Nawab of conspiring with the French against the British. In 1757, the Nawab of Bengal and the British clashed into the Battle of Plassey in which Saraj-ud-Daula was killed.

Question 4

What were the Consequences of the battle of Plassey?

Answer 4

1. The British got free trading rights in the province of Bengal.
2. They got the zamindari of 24 paraganas and became the de facto rulers of Bengal.
3. The British were able to utilise the resources of Bengal to maintain a large army

Question 5

Explain the Battle of Buxar.

Answer 5

After winning the battle of Plassey, the British gained complete control over Bengal and were able to place their puppet rulers, Mir Jafar and later Mir Quasim. At first, Mir Qasim assigned jagir of Burdwan,Midnapur and Chittagaon and gave valuable gifts to its officers. However, he proved to be a capable ruler who wanted to improve administration and did not want to remain a puppet. This angered the British and he was defeated by them in 1763. He fled to Awadh and formed an alliance with the Nawab, Shuja-ud-daulah and the emperor, Shah Alam 2. Their combined army was defeated by the British in the battle of Buxar in October 1764.

Question 6

What were the consequences of the battle for Buxar?

Answer 6

1. The Mughal Emperor became a pensioner of the British
2. After settlement with the Nawab of Bengal, the British got the right of Diwani or the right to collect revenue in the province of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
3. Both the Nawab of Bengal and the Mughal Emperor became dependent on the British.

Question 7

What is nazimat?

Answer 7

The right of nazimat included the maintenance of law and order, dispensation of criminal justice and defending the frontiers of the kingdom. These rights remained with the Nawab who was paid an annual salary to meet the expenses.

Question 8

Describe the end of dual governance in Bengal.

Answer 8

Dual governance in Bengal was put to an end by Warren Hastings in 1772. Calcutta was made the capital or the seat of power of the British in India. In 1911, Delhi was declared as the capital of India.