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## British Conquest of Bengal ### Tick the Correct Options 1. From 1500 to 1600, the East India Company obtained a charter from Queen Elizabeth I that granted it the sole right to **(a) trade with the East for 15 years**. 2. In the 18th century, the power of Delhi declined significantly because...

## British Conquest of Bengal ### Tick the Correct Options 1. From 1500 to 1600, the East India Company obtained a charter from Queen Elizabeth I that granted it the sole right to **(a) trade with the East for 15 years**. 2. In the 18th century, the power of Delhi declined significantly because **(c) both (a) and (b)**, where (a) are regional kingdoms emerging powerful after the death of Aurangzeb and (b) the subedars and zamindars began to assert their authority. ### British conquest of Bengal The English East India Company was merely a trading body in the early 17th century. They established their first trade settlement at Hugli around 1651. The company traders, known as factors, operated from this place. The factory consisted of a warehouse and offices as well as residential quarters. The Company’s trade flourished, but when they violated trade rules, Aurangzeb declared war and defeated them. Later, the Company persuaded Aurangzeb to grant them the right to carry on duty-free trade in return for an annual payment. After Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal Empire became weak and the Company intensified its operations in Bengal. In 1717, they got the right to import and export goods without paying the customs duty from Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar. However, the Company’s employees misused this right and carried on illegal private trade for which they did not pay trade duties. This resulted in enormous loss of revenue for Bengal. ### Conflict Between the Company and the Nawabs of Bengal In the first half of the 18th century, the conflicts between the Nawabs of Bengal and the Company intensified. Murshid Quli Khan, Siraj-ud-Daulah, and Alivardi Khan were strong rulers. In order to keep a check on activities of the officials of the Company, the Nawabs laid down certain conditions, which the Company had to obey or lose its right to trade in Bengal. These conditions were: * The officials of the Company who were engaged in private trade shall pay customs duty or the privilege of duty-free trade will be withdrawn altogether. * The Company shall not extend the fortification of its settlement. * The Nawabs forbid the Company from minting coins. * The Company shall pay a larger amount of tribute for the trade concessions. ### The Battle of Plassey (1757) The beginning of British political sway over India may be traced to the Battle of Plassey in 1757. After establishing themselves in Calcutta and making the Nawab grant their demands, Clive was a puppet ruler who granted the Company privileges. Clive (Commander-in-Chief) and Omichand collaborated to overthrow Siraj-ud-Daulah. On 23 June 1757, the British and English Company defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah (Palashi). Robert Clive was the Commander-in-Chief along with Siraj ud-Daulah. The battle was made. ### Wonderful to Know It is said that Charnock set up a factory at Sutanati in 1690. Later, the Company also obtained zamindari (right to collect revenue) of three villages – Sutanati, Gobindapur and Kalikata. In due course, these three villages along with Fort William came to be known as Calcutta (Kolkata). However, some scholars are of the opinion that Charnock did not lay the foundation of Kolkata. A 15th century Bengali text refers to Kolkata. Even Abul Fazi mentions about Kolkata in his Ain-i-Akbari.