Battle of Plassey, 1757 — 1757 · Plassey

Language Movement, 1952 — 1952 · Language

Liberation War, 1971 — 1971 · Liberation

Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi movement, 1905 — 1905 · Partition

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Discover Bengal · Unfolded

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Siraj ud-Daulah

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Nawab of Bengal

The last independent Nawab of Bengal before Plassey shifted political power toward the East India Company.

Est. 1947 · Bengal✺A Bilingual Archive

Biography

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Context

In the context of His short reign unfolded amid disputes over fortification, trade privileges, court succession, and sovereignty between the Bengal Subah and the Company., Siraj ud-Daulah is recognized as Nawab of Bengal. The last independent Nawab of Bengal before Plassey shifted political power toward the East India Company.

Contribution

As Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah challenged East India Company encroachment, captured Calcutta in 1756, and commanded Bengal’s forces at Plassey in 1757.

Impact

His defeat at Plassey became a major turning point in the transfer of political influence from Bengal’s court to the East India Company.

plasseybengalanti-colonial

Topic Hub: Explore related topics - Bangladesh History Timeline Topic Hub: Explore related topics - Colonial Bengal: From Plassey to Permanent Settlement

Timeline Placement

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Siraj ud-Daulah appears in 5 linked timeline events, spanning 1756 - 1770.

First Appearance

1756

Latest Appearance

1770

Active Span

1756 - 1770

Linked Events

Legacy Summary

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His defeat at Plassey became a major turning point in the transfer of political influence from Bengal’s court to the East India Company. This influence is reflected across 5 connected events.

References

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Key sources for understanding this figure

A Comprehensive History of Modern Bengal, 1700-1950

A three-volume survey covering the Nawabi era, colonial remaking, and the freedom struggle through 1950.

Cited in: 4 events

Seir Mutaqherin / Siyar-ul-Mutakhkherin

A late eighteenth-century history of Mughal India that is essential for understanding Bengal Nawabs and Plassey.

Cited in: 3 events

The English Factories in India

Calendar records of East India Company activity are valuable for trade, factories, and the commercial expansion that preceded colonial rule.

Cited in: 3 events

Battle of Plassey

Concise reference on the actors, military context, and imperial consequences of the 23 June 1757 battle.

Cited in: 2 events

Diwani

Bengal-focused reference on the diwani system, the 1765 agreements, and how revenue authority passed to the East India Company.

Cited in: 2 events

East India Company

Overview of the Company's shift from trade to colonial rule, including the grant of diwani rights and its economic consequences in Bengal.

Cited in: 2 events

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Related Figures

Mir Jafar

Commander and Later Nawab of Bengal

Jagat Seth

Banking House and Court Financier

Robert Clive

East India Company Commander

Alivardi Khan

Former Nawab of Bengal

Charles Watson

Royal Navy Admiral

Eyre Coote

Company Military Officer

Related Events

1756

Siraj ud-Daulah Captures Calcutta

1756

Black Hole of Calcutta and Imperial Propaganda Debate

1757

Battle of Plassey

1764

Battle of Buxar

1770

Great Bengal Famine

Related Places

Calcutta / Kolkata

Palashi / Plassey

Buxar

Bengal Region

Appears In Events

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Timeline View

1756

Siraj ud-Daulah Captures Calcutta

In 1756, Siraj ud-Daulah attacked and captured Calcutta in response to Company fortification and political encroachment, escalating tensions that soon led to Plassey.

1756

Black Hole of Calcutta and Imperial Propaganda Debate

Black Hole of Calcutta and Imperial Propaganda Debate was a significant turning point in the political and social trajectory of Bengal/Bangladesh.

1757

Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked a decisive shift in Bengal's political destiny. A short military encounter became a structural transfer of power as the East India Company worked through court conspiracy, military defection, and financial alliance to break Siraj ud-Daulah's position. The aftermath reshaped governance, revenue extraction, and sovereignty, laying the foundation for long-term colonial rule.

1764

Battle of Buxar

In 1764, the Battle of Buxar gave the East India Company a decisive military advantage over the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II. While Plassey opened the gate in Bengal, Buxar consolidated Company coercive power at a wider regional scale. The outcome set the stage for the 1765 diwani arrangement and deeper colonial revenue extraction.

1770

Great Bengal Famine

The famine of 1770 devastated Bengal, producing catastrophic mortality across agrarian and urban communities. Crop failure, grain-market distortions, and rigid revenue collection under East India Company authority combined to turn environmental stress into a social collapse. The crisis became an early warning of how colonial political economy could magnify human vulnerability.