Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
On 23 June 1757, near the village of Palashi (Plassey) in Bengal, the forces of the British East India Company under Robert Clive defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah. The battle was short, but it changed Indian history by handing the Company control of India’s richest province.
Causes of the battle
- The Company fortified Calcutta without the Nawab’s permission.
- It misused trade permits (dastaks) to avoid taxes.
- It sheltered people who had fled the Nawab’s justice.
- In 1756 Siraj-ud-Daulah captured Calcutta; the “Black Hole” incident was used by the British as propaganda.
- Clive recaptured Calcutta and plotted with discontented nobles.
The conspiracy
Clive secretly agreed with Mir Jafar, the Nawab’s army commander, merchant banker Jagat Seth and others: Mir Jafar would stay out of the fight and in return become Nawab. On the battlefield, most of the Nawab’s large army did not fight.
The battle in brief
| Nawab of Bengal | East India Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Siraj-ud-Daulah (Mir Jafar held back) | Robert Clive |
| Army size | About 50,000 (estimates vary) | About 3,000 |
| Outcome | Defeated; Siraj fled and was killed | Victory |
Results
- Mir Jafar became a puppet Nawab and paid huge sums to the Company and its officers.
- The Company gained the zamindari of the 24 Parganas.
- Bengal’s wealth funded further British expansion.
- It began the process of British political control in India.
From Plassey to Buxar
When Mir Qasim, Mir Jafar’s successor, tried to act independently, he allied with the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and the Nawab of Awadh. Their defeat at the Battle of Buxar (1764) led to the Treaty of Allahabad (1765), which gave the Company the diwani: the right to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Battle of Plassey?
The British East India Company led by Robert Clive.
Who betrayed Siraj-ud-Daulah?
Mir Jafar, his commander-in-chief, along with Jagat Seth, Rai Durlabh and Omichund.
Which battle is more important, Plassey or Buxar?
Historians often say Plassey gave political influence while Buxar (1764) gave real legal and military control.
Keep exploring
- India’s freedom struggle 1857-1947
- The Mughal Empire
- The Industrial Revolution
- More History articles on Tiwaripedia
Facts are based on widely accepted official, scientific and historical sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
