Category 4 · Modern History
British Conquest of Bengal
8 micro topics in Modern History for UPSC Prelims, in book order: The British Imperial History Debate: Accidental or Intentional Conquest?; Causes of British Success in India; and 6 more.
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4.1
The British Imperial History Debate: Accidental or Intentional Conquest?
Historians disagree on whether Britain conquered India by accident or by design. John Seeley led the view that it happened blindly; others hold it was a deliberate plan. Most accept a middle view: it began as…
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4.2
Causes of British Success in India
British success in India rested on better arms and strategy, regular pay and discipline, merit-based selection, strong leadership, financial backing from trade and sea power, and the lack of unity among Indian rulers. The process took…
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4.3
Bengal on the Eve of British Conquest: Alivardi Khan and Siraj-ud-daula
Bengal was the richest Mughal province, ruled by Murshid Quli Khan, Shujauddin and Alivardi Khan, who stopped paying tribute to Delhi. When Alivardi died in April 1756, his young grandson Siraj-ud-daula faced court rivals and the…
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4.4
Battle of Plassey, 1757
The Battle of Plassey, fought on 23 June 1757, saw Robert Clive's small force defeat Siraj-ud-daula after a secret deal with Mir Jafar, Rai Durlabh, Jagat Seth and Omichand. It is usually seen as the starting…
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4.5
Mir Kasim and the Treaty of 1760
After Plassey, Mir Jafar failed to pay the Company and plotted with the Dutch. In 1760 the Company replaced him with his son-in-law Mir Kasim, who signed a treaty ceding Burdwan, Midnapur and Chittagong, then tried…
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4.6
Battle of Buxar, 1764 and the Treaty of Allahabad, 1765
At Buxar on 22 October 1764 the Company under Hector Munro defeated the combined armies of Mir Kasim, Shuja-ud-daula of Awadh and Shah Alam II. By the Treaty of Allahabad (August 1765) Clive obtained the Diwani…
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4.7
Dual Government in Bengal, 1765-72
After Buxar, Robert Clive set up dual government in Bengal: the Company held the Diwani (revenue) and, through its deputy subahdar, the nizamat (police and justice), while the Nawab kept the form of rule. It ended…
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4.8
Robert Clive: Role and Assessment
Robert Clive rose from a clerk to the man who took Arcot in 1751, won Plassey in 1757 and set up dual government after Buxar. He was twice Governor of Bengal and is called a forerunner…
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Frequently asked questions
Which topics are in British Conquest of Bengal?
British Conquest of Bengal has 8 micro topics in Modern History: The British Imperial History Debate: Accidental or Intentional Conquest?; Causes of British Success in India; Bengal on the Eve of British Conquest: Alivardi Khan and Siraj-ud-daula; Battle of Plassey, 1757; Mir Kasim and the Treaty of 1760; Battle of Buxar, 1764 and the Treaty of Allahabad, 1765; Dual Government in Bengal, 1765-72; Robert Clive: Role and Assessment.
Is British Conquest of Bengal important for UPSC Prelims?
British Conquest of Bengal is a part of the UPSC Prelims Modern History syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 8 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.