The British presence in India began with the establishment of the British East India Company in 1600. By 1617, the Company acquired trading rights when the Mughals were still in power. The Company’s influence on the country grew stronger when the Mughal empire slowly faced decline. It established trading posts in Surat, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta.
In the meantime, the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah was unhappy over the East India Company interfering in political matters in his province. With support from the French in India, the Nawab attacked British-controlled Calcutta. The Bengali army imprisoned British soldiers when it captured Fort William in 1756. What followed was the Battle of Plassey in 1757, led by Major-General Robert Clive against the Nawab of Bengal. The East India Company’s victory in this battle enabled the British to gain a decisive political control over India. The Nawab surrendered to the Company. Mir Jafar who served as the commander of the Bengali army under Daulah, betrayed him during the Battle of Plassey and succeeded Daulah after the British victory in 1757.
In 1765, after winning the Battle of Buxar (1764) in Bihar, the Company was granted all rights over Bengal and Bihar. It was empowered to collect revenues. This was the beginning of the enslavement India suffered till it gained freedom in the year 1947.
Did you know?
The East India Company appointed its first Governor-General, Warren Hastings. He was the first Governor-General of Fort William or Governor-General of Bengal and remained in that position from 1773-1785.
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