Nawab of Bengal during the battle of Plassy.
VerifiedAnswer: Siraj-ud-daulah
Explanation:
Siraj-ud-daulah was the Nawab of Bengal during the famous Battle of Plassey, which took place on June 23, 1757. He was quite young when he became the Nawab, taking over the throne at just 23 years of age after his grandfather Alivardi Khan's death in 1756.
Siraj-ud-daulah was known for his strong opposition to the growing influence of the British East India Company in Bengal. He was particularly concerned about the Company's practice of fortifying their settlements without his permission and their abuse of trade privileges. This led to tensions between him and the British, which eventually culminated in the Battle of Plassey.
The conflict began when Siraj-ud-daulah captured Fort William in Calcutta in June 1756, which was then under British control. This action was his way of asserting his authority over the foreign traders in his territory. However, the British, led by Robert Clive, were determined to regain their position in Bengal.
Unfortunately for Siraj-ud-daulah, he faced betrayal from within his own ranks. Key figures in his court, including his military commander Mir Jafar, his banker Jagat Seth, and other nobles, had secretly made agreements with the British. They were dissatisfied with the young Nawab's rule and saw an opportunity to gain power by supporting the East India Company.
During the Battle of Plassey, despite having a much larger army than the British forces, Siraj-ud-daulah was defeated primarily due to this internal conspiracy. Most of his troops, under the command of the traitorous generals, either remained inactive during the battle or switched sides at crucial moments.
After his defeat at Plassey, Siraj-ud-daulah fled from the battlefield but was captured and killed shortly afterward on July 2, 1757. His death marked the end of independent rule in Bengal and paved the way for British dominance in the region. The British installed Mir Jafar as the new Nawab, making him essentially a puppet ruler under their control.
The Battle of Plassey is considered one of the most significant events in Indian history as it established British political control over Bengal, which was then one of the richest provinces in India. This victory provided the British with the resources and strategic position they needed to gradually expand their empire across the entire Indian subcontinent.
