The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23, 1757, and it was a turning point for British power in India. This fight happened near the village of Plassey in Bengal, where the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, took on the forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, who had French support. Even though Clive's army was smaller, they came out on top because of clever alliances and betrayal among the Nawab’s troops.
A key player in this was Mir Jafar, one of Siraj-ud-Daulah’s commanders, who switched sides during the battle, helping the British win. This victory gave the British East India Company major control in Bengal, which was the wealthiest part of India at the time, along with valuable resources. After the battle, the British made Mir Jafar their puppet Nawab.
They started taking in huge amounts of money and gained administrative power with the Diwani rights in 1765, moving from trade to governance. The Battle of Plassey is seen as the start of British colonial rule in India, which lasted nearly two centuries.
The battle had lasting effects. It set the stage for later victories like Buxar in 1764 and helped the British expand further. It also kicked off the downfall of local powers, damaged traditional economies, and led to colonial exploitation. The Battle of Plassey stands out as a crucial moment in both Indian history and British imperialism.
