Day 4
Today, we are going to learn about how the British East India Company which came to India initially for trading came into power.
So far, we have learned that all the rivals of the Britsih East India Company including the French East India Company did not last long. But what happened to the rulers of India like Rajputs, Mughals, and local rulers? Why did they lose the battle against British East India Company or did they fight after all? So, let's discuss the situation of India at that time.
Rise of British Power in India
1) Mughal Dynasty
Founder - Babar (1526 AD)
Mohamad Shah Rangeela (1719 - 1748) - North India
In 1722 Shahadat Khan took over the Avadh region and declared it free from Mughals.
Bengal - Murshid Kuli Khan (1717 - 1727 AD, founder of free Bengal)
1739 AD
Nadir Shah, king of Iran, attacked India and defeated Mohamad Shah Rangeela. He looted the Kohinoor diamond and Peacock throne (Mayur Singhasan).
1748 AD
Ahmad Shah Abdali, king of Afganistan, attacked India and defeated Mohamad Shah Rangeela.
3rd Battle of Panipat
In 1761, Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated Marathas.
# Rajputs were already defeated by Akbar in Battle of Haldighati, 1576 AD.
All the three greater forces in India were defeated over time and North India was also divided into smaller regions like Avadh. Hence, it was a good time for Britishers to take over.
Bengal in the 1750s
Nawab of Bengal - Sirajuddaula (1756 to 1757)
Blackhole Tragedy -
On the morning of 20 June 1756, a British named Hallbell started rumors that there were 146 Britishers who came to Bengal but the Nawab arrested all of them and out of which 123 died, 22 went missing and he is the only person alive.
Battle of Plassey (23 June 1757)
Britishers promised Mirjafar, commander of the Bengal army, to make him Nawab of Bengal if he fights by their side and Mirjafar agreed to them.
So, in the battle Sirajuddaula, Mirmadan, and Mohanlal were on one side and the British East India Company, Mirjafar, Jagat Seth (Banker), and Raidurlabh (Deewan/Tax) were on the other side.
Result - British East India Company defeated Sirajuddaula (killed by Merun, son of Mir Jafar, when he was trying to flee from the battleground) and Mirjafar became the Nawab of Bengal.
Battle of Bedra (1759 AD)
Britishers started a dual system in Bengal in which all the administration was under the Nawab of Bengal and the tax collection was done by Britishers. Mir Jafar was not happy with this and he allied with the Dutch East India Company to defeat British East India Company.
Result - Britishers defeated both the Dutch and Mir Jafar and made Mir Qasim, son in law of Mir Jafar, the next Nawab of Bengal.
Battle of Buxar (22 October 1764)
Mir Qasim transferred his capital from Murshidabad to Munger (Bihar) without informing British East India Company. He also made alliances with Shah Alam II (Nawab of Delhi) and Shujauddaula (Nawab of Avadh).
Result - British governor Munro defeated the triple alliance of Mir Qasim, Shah Alam, and Shujauddaula.
Tomorrow, we will learn about Governors, Governor Generals and their works in India.
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