Why this matters now
Plassey is tested for: Black Hole of Calcutta 20 June 1756 (146 British prisoners in 18×14 ft cell; 123 died — J.Z. Holwell’s account, exaggerated); Clive’s recapture of Calcutta + Treaty of Alinagar 9 February 1757; the Mir Jafar conspiracy (Jagat Seths bankers + Mir Jafar + Rai Durlabh + Amir Chand “Umichand”); Plassey village (Palashi) on Bhagirathi 22 mi south of Murshidabad; engagement 23 June 1757; Mir Jafar installed Nawab; Siraj caught + killed 2 July 1757 by Mir Jafar’s son Miran; Clive’s jagir worth Rs 22,000/yr from Mir Jafar; later Mir Qasim revolt → Buxar 1764.
Background (1756-57)
- April 1756: Nawab Alivardi Khan died; succeeded by his 23-year-old grandson Siraj-ud-Daulah.
- 4 June 1756: Siraj attacked + captured British factory at Kasimbazar.
- 20 June 1756: Siraj captured Fort William, Calcutta. BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA — British prisoners crammed in 18×14 ft cell; 123 of 146 reportedly died overnight (figures from J.Z. Holwell’s account, likely exaggerated).
- December 1756: Clive + Admiral Watson sailed from Madras with 900 British + 1,500 sepoys.
- 2 Jan 1757: Clive recaptured Calcutta.
- 9 Feb 1757: Treaty of Alinagar — Siraj restored EIC’s Bengal privileges; EIC fortify Calcutta + free coinage.
- March 1757: Clive captured French Chandernagore (Carnatic War context).
- April-May 1757: Clive secretly conspired with Mir Jafar (Siraj’s army commander) + Jagat Seths (bankers Mahtab Rai + Swarup Chand) + Rai Durlabh + Umichand (Amir Chand). Two treaties drafted — one real (no payment Umichand), one fake (with payment) to deceive Umichand.
The Battle (23 June 1757)
Site: Palashi (Plassey) village on Bhagirathi river, ~22 miles south of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Mango grove (now Plassey Memorial).
Forces:
- British EIC: ~3,000 troops — 950 European infantry + 2,100 Indian sepoys + 100 European cavalry + 9 cannon. Led by Colonel Robert Clive.
- Bengal Nawab: ~50,000 troops — 35,000 infantry + 15,000 cavalry + 53 cannon + 53 French gunners under Monsieur Sinfray. Led by Mir Madan (loyal commander) + Mohan Lal (loyal) + Mir Jafar + Rai Durlabh + Yar Lutf Khan (latter three secretly defecting).
Battle sequence:
- Morning: Bengal artillery + cavalry under Mir Madan attacked British position. Initial French success.
- Mid-morning: Sudden heavy thunderstorm soaked Bengal gunpowder; British covered powder with tarpaulins.
- Mir Madan killed by cannonball; only Mohan Lal’s force continued.
- Mir Jafar advised Siraj to retreat for the day. Siraj agreed.
- Clive launched counterattack on the retreating Bengal army.
- By evening Bengal army routed.
Casualties: British 22 killed + 50 wounded; Bengal ~500 killed. Battle lasted ~8 hours.
Aftermath
- 2 July 1757: Siraj-ud-Daulah captured fleeing toward Patna; killed by Mir Jafar’s son Miran at Murshidabad.
- 29 June 1757: Mir Jafar installed as Nawab of Bengal.
- British loot: EIC + Clive received massive rewards. Clive received Rs 2,34,000 cash + jagir worth Rs 22,000/yr. Total British war booty ~Rs 22-25 crore (huge sum).
- Umichand denied payment by the secret fake treaty — reportedly died of shock.
- 1760: Mir Qasim replaced Mir Jafar (alleged less corrupt). Mir Qasim later revolted — Battle of Buxar 1764.
- Significance: Conventional start of British rule in India. EIC transformed from trader to ruler. Bengal’s revenues funded British conquest of the rest of India.
- Plassey Memorial + Lord Clive’s residence at Dum Dum near Calcutta.
UPSC angle
Know BATTLE OF PLASSEY 23 JUNE 1757 — Palashi village Bhagirathi 22 mi south Murshidabad WB mango grove; BRITISH EIC ~3000 (950 Eu infantry + 2100 sepoys + 100 Eu cavalry + 9 cannon) Col ROBERT CLIVE vs BENGAL NAWAB ~50000 (35000 inf + 15000 cav + 53 cannon + 53 French gunners Sinfray) SIRAJ-UD-DAULAH; BACKGROUND: April 1756 ALIVARDI KHAN died, succeeded grandson SIRAJ-UD-DAULAH 23 yrs; 4 June 1756 Siraj captured Kasimbazar; 20 June 1756 captured Fort William Calcutta + BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA J.Z. HOLWELL account 146 prisoners 18x14 ft cell 123 died (likely exaggerated); Clive+Admiral Watson sailed Madras Dec 1756 with 900 British + 1500 sepoys; 2 Jan 1757 Clive recaptured Calcutta; TREATY OF ALINAGAR 9 Feb 1757 Siraj restored EIC privileges + fortify + free coinage; March 1757 Clive captured French Chandernagore (Carnatic War context); Clive conspired April-May 1757 with MIR JAFAR (army cmdr) + JAGAT SETHS BANKERS (Mahtab Rai+Swarup Chand) + RAI DURLABH + UMICHAND/AMIR CHAND; two treaties one real no Umichand pay one fake with pay to deceive; BATTLE: morning Mir Madan+Mohan Lal loyal attacked, mid-morning THUNDERSTORM Bengal powder soaked British tarpaulins, Mir Madan killed cannonball, Mir Jafar advised retreat, Siraj agreed, Clive counterattacked, by evening routed; CASUALTIES British 22 killed + 50 wounded vs Bengal ~500; 2 JULY 1757 SIRAJ KILLED by Mir Jafar son MIRAN; 29 JUNE 1757 MIR JAFAR INSTALLED NAWAB; Clive received Rs 2,34,000 cash + jagir Rs 22000/yr, total British loot ~Rs 22-25 crore; UMICHAND denied payment fake treaty died of shock; 1760 MIR QASIM replaced Mir Jafar; later revolt → Buxar 1764; CONVENTIONAL START OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA, EIC trader → ruler, Bengal revenues funded conquest rest of India.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Battle of Plassey?
On 23 June 1757 at Palashi village near Murshidabad, West Bengal — on the bank of the Bhagirathi river.
Who fought at Plassey?
British East India Company under Colonel Robert Clive (3,000 troops) vs Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah (50,000 troops). Most of Siraj’s army did not engage due to commander Mir Jafar’s secret defection.
What was the Black Hole of Calcutta?
On 20 June 1756, Siraj captured Fort William; J.Z. Holwell’s account claims 123 of 146 British prisoners died overnight in an 18×14 ft cell. Later historians question the exact numbers but the event was a key British grievance.
Why was Plassey decisive?
It transformed the EIC from a trading company into a territorial ruler of Bengal — the richest Indian province. The conventional date of the start of British rule in India.