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Siraj-ud-Daulah, The Bengal Nawab

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                                        Mir Jafar and Robert Clive after the Battle of Plassey by Francis Hayman After the death of Aurangzeb, the disintegration of the Mughal Empire was rapid.  Delhi, the seat of power of the Mughals, gave way to Bengal as the centre of political importance in India. It can be ascertained from the fact that the British win over Siraj ud Daula in the Battle of Plassey in 1757, which took place just 50 years after death of Aurangzeb, laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. During the period, Bengal was ruled by the Nawabs with their capital at Murshidabad. Though nominally governors or viceroys of the Mughals, the Nawabs were independent heads of state for all practical purposes.  Siraj ud Daula became the Nawab of Bengal after the death of his grandfather Alivardi Khan who died in 1756. He was the son of latter's youngest daughter. This was not liked by his near relations including his mother’s eldest sister, Ghasiti Begum, and his cou

Battle of Plassey

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Date : June 23rd, 1757 Place: Plassey (present day Palashi ) on the Ganga in Nadia district of West Bengal Image source: commons.wikimedia.org / The battle of Plassey was fought between the army of Siraj-ud-Doula , the last independent Nawab of Bengal and the troops of the British East India Company under Robert Clive . Clive had 1100 Europeans and 200 sepoys whereas Siraj-ud-doula’s army composed of about 50,000 men strengthened by a train of heavy artillery. However about 45000 of the Nawab’s troops were under command of three traitors Mir Jafar , Yar Latif khan and Rai Durlabhram . Mir Jafar was the general of Siraj-ud-doula. A small force under Mohanlal and Mir Madan joined the battle. After Mir Madan ’s death from a stray shot, Siraj-ud-doula suspended the fight for the day on Mir Jafar’s treacherous advice. The withdrawal result in the complete disaster for the nawab’s army. Fearing his life Siraj fled from the battle. The chaos reigned supreme. The casualty on Englis