What was Battle of Plassey? MCQs WITH SOLUTION
Title: Unveiling the Battle of Plassey: A Turning Point in Indian History
The Battle of Plassey (1757), a pivotal event in Indian history, marked a significant turn of events that eventually led to the establishment of British supremacy in India. As a prospective candidate preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, having a firm grasp of the Battle of Plassey is vital. This article dives deep into this historical event and highlights its impact on the Indian context.
The Prelude to the Battle:
The mid-18th century witnessed volatile diplomatic relations between the British East India Company and the ruling Nawabs in the Bengal province. In 1756, Siraj-ud-Daulah, the young Nawab of Bengal, alarmed by the British East India Company’s rising prominence, captured the British Fort in Calcutta, an event later termed as the Black Hole Tragedy. The British decided to bring in Robert Clive to retaliate against their loss and hence laid the groundwork for the Battle of Plassey.
The Battle:
The Battle took place on 23rd June 1757 near Plassey on the banks of river Bhagirathi, between Siraj-ud-Daulah’s army and the British forces led by Robert Clive. However, treachery by Mir Jafar, the commander in chief of Siraj’s army, led to the Nawab’s defeat. Mir Jafar, who had conspired with the British for the Nawab’s throne, ensured that his army did not engage in any fighting, thereby leading to the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daulah.
Aftermath:
The Battle of Plassey positioned the British East India Company strategically in Bengal. Mir Jafar was installed as the Nawab and became a puppet ruler under the Company. He was required to pay large sums for the company’s trade privileges.
Impact on India:
Bengal, a prosperous province back then, turned into a colony exploited by the British. This war established the political and military supremacy of the British in Bengal, which later expanded over entire India. Through their policy of ‘Divide and Rule,’ they exploited the local sentiments and divisions among Indian rulers and slowly took over the subcontinent.
Conclusively, the Battle of Plassey established the British as a political power in India. It was followed by the Battle of Buxar (1764) where they further cemented their control. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the Battle of Plassey aids in realizing the wider implications of the colonial rule that shaped modern India’s political, economic, and social frameworks.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:
1. Who was the Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey?
a) Tipu Sultan
b) Bahadur Shah II
c) Mir Qasim
d) Siraj-ud-Daulah
2. Who led the British forces in the Battle of Plassey?
a) Warren Hastings
b) Dalhousie
c) Lord Curzon
d) Robert Clive
3. Who betrayed the Nawab, leading to his defeat in the Battle of Plassey?
a) Mir Jafar
b) Mir Kasim
c) Jagat Seth
d) Lord Metcalfe
Check the correct answers which are d) Siraj-ud-Daulah; d) Robert Clive; a) Mir Jafar.
