🟢 1. Murshid Quli Khan

Last Governor of Bengal appointed directly by the Mughal Emperor.
Shifted capital from Dhaka → Murshidabad (earlier Maksudabad).
Introduced Izara System (revenue farming system).

🟢 2. Alivardi Khan (1740–1756)

Strong and capable Nawab of Bengal.
Famous quote comparing Europeans to honeybees:
- If not disturbed → beneficial
- If disturbed → dangerous
Maintained control over European trading companies.

🟢 3. Siraj-ud-Daula

Grandson of Alivardi Khan; became Nawab after his death.

⚫ Black Hole Tragedy (20 June 1756)

Reported by John Zephaniah Holwell
146 prisoners allegedly locked in a small room:
- 123 died of suffocation
- 23 survived
Not mentioned by historian Ghulam Hussain Khan → raises doubts about authenticity.

🟢 4. Battle of Plassey (1757)

Fought between:
- Robert Clive
- Siraj-ud-Daula
📍 Location: Palasi (on Bhagirathi River, West Bengal)
Result:
- British victory
- Beginning of British rule in India

👉 Robert Clive is called the Founder of British Empire in India

🟢 5. Robert Clive’s Role

Governor of Bengal:
- 1758–1760
- 1765–1767
Key developments:
- Started economic exploitation of Bengal
- Signed Treaty of Allahabad
- Faced White Mutiny (revolt by British soldiers)

🟢 6. Mir Qasim (1760–1763)

One of the most capable Nawabs after Alivardi Khan.
Shifted capital:
- Murshidabad → Munger (to avoid British interference)
Reforms:
- Modernized army (European style)
- Established gun manufacturing in Munger
- Introduced taxes and punished corruption

🟢 7. Battle of Buxar (1764)

Fought between:
- British (led by Hector Munro)
- Combined forces of:
  - Mir Qasim
  - Shuja-ud-Daula
  - Shah Alam II

🔴 Result:

British victory → decisive turning point
British became dominant power in North India
Opened the way to Delhi

🟢 8. Treaty of Allahabad (1765)

Signed by Robert Clive

Terms:

Shah Alam II granted Diwani Rights to East India Company
👉 (Right to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa)
Awadh Nawab surrendered territories

🟢 9. Dual Government System (1765)

Introduced by Robert Clive

Features:

Company:
- Collected revenue (Diwani)
Nawab:
- Handled administration (Nizamat)

👉 Result: Mismanagement & exploitation

🟢 10. Deputy Diwans

Muhammad Reza Khan → Bengal
Raja Sitab Rai → Bihar

🟢 11. Decline of Mughal Power

Shah Alam II became dependent on British
Later rulers:
- Akbar II
- Bahadur Shah II

👉 All became pensioners of the East India Company

🟢 12. Expansion & Resistance

British gained Sylhet (1765) after Diwani rights
Resistance from Khasi tribes led by Tirot Sing

🟢 13. Historical View

Historian K. M. Panikkar said:
👉 “From 1765–1772, Bengal became a ‘State of Dacoits’”
(due to exploitation and disorder)

📌 Key Takeaways

Plassey (1757) → Beginning of British control
Buxar (1764) → British political supremacy
Diwani Rights (1765) → Economic control
Dual Government → Administrative exploitation

📝 MCQs

East India Company and Nawabs of Bengal Questions

1. Who was the last Governor of Bengal appointed by the Mughal Emperor :- Murshid Quli Khan

2. The last Subedar of Bengal, who was appointed by Mughal Emperor :- Murshid Quli Khan

3. Which war began the consolidation of British supremacy over India :- Battle of Plassey

4. The Battle of Plassey was fought in the year :- 1757

5. Sirajuddaula was defeated by Lord Clive in the battle of :- Plassey

6. Who was the founder of the British Empire in India :- Lord Robert Clive

7. Who has been called as a “Heaven Born General” :- Robert Clive

The battlefield of Plassey is situated in :– West Bengal

9. Who shifted his capital from Murshidabad to Munger :- Mir Qasim

10. The most decisive battle that led to the establishment of supremacy of the British in India was :–The Battle of Buxar

11. Who was the ruler of Delhi at the time of the battle of Buxar :- Shah Alam II

12. Who was the Nawab of Bengal when the Battle of Buxar was fought :- Mir Jafar

13. Which treaty was signed after the Battle of Buxar :- The Treaty of Allahahad

14. Which rulers had granted Diwani to the East India Company :- Shah Alam- II

15. Who granted the Diwani of Bengal to the East India Company in 1765 :- Mughal Emperor

16. In which Governor’s tenure, Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha was granted to East India Company by Emperor Shah Alam :- Lord Clive

17. Emperor Shah Alam- II gave the Diwani of Bengal – Bihar and Orissa to East India Company on :-12 August, 1765

18. Who was appointed Deputy Diwan of Murshidabad by Robert Clive after the Allahabad Treaty :-Mohd. Raza Khan

19. With which one of themountain tribes did the British first come into contact with after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765 :- Khasi

20. With reference to the Hindu Nayab Wazirs of Oudh Sultanate, which statements(s) are correct?

1. Raja Tikait Rai was ‘Artha Mantri’ of Nawab Aasafudaullah.

2. Usually there were certain Hindu castes who were placed at the high positions in the State of Nawabs of Oudh.

Ans Both 1 and 2

21. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the battles fought in India in the 18th Century?

(a) Battle of Ambur – Battle of Plassey – Battle of Wandiwash – Battle of Buxar

Ans :- Battle of Ambur (August, 1749) ,Battle of Plassey (June, 1757) ,Battle of Wandiwash (January, 1760) , Battle of Buxar (October, 1764)

22. Name the French Commander who was defeated in the battle of Wandiwash in 1760 :- Count Lally

23. In the Battle of Wandhiwash (1760) :- British defeated French

24. Which pairs is correctly matched?

(a) Battle of Buxar – Allied Forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-daula and Shah Alam II, and British force

(b) Battle of Wandiwash – French and East India Company in 1760

(d) Battle of Khurda – Marathas against Nizam

Ans. All of the above

25. Who opposed British in India vigorously :- Maratha

🏛️ East India Company & Nawabs of Bengal