Who says that ‘Plassey was a transaction in which the rich bankers of Bengal and Mir Jafar sold out the Nawab to the English ?

The correct answer is - K.M. Panikkar

Key Points

• K.M. Panikkar was a renowned historian and diplomat known for his critical analysis of colonial history.
• He described the Battle of Plassey (1757) as a "transaction" where the rich bankers of Bengal and Mir Jafar betrayed the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, in favor of the British East India Company.
• According to Panikkar, this betrayal led to the downfall of the Nawab and marked the beginning of British dominance in Bengal.
• The battle was not just a military confrontation but also a political conspiracy involving key stakeholders like Mir Jafar and the wealthy merchants who sided with the British.
• This interpretation emphasizes the role of internal treachery and economic interests in facilitating colonial control.

Additional Information

• Battle of Plassey (1757)
  • Fought between the forces of the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah.
  • Mir Jafar, the Nawab's commander-in-chief, played a key role in betraying Siraj-ud-Daulah by conspiring with the British.
  • The British victory was a turning point that established their political and military dominance in Bengal.
• Mir Jafar's Role
  • Mir Jafar was promised the throne of Bengal by the British in exchange for his betrayal of Siraj-ud-Daulah.
  • After the battle, he was installed as a puppet Nawab by the British, marking the beginning of their indirect rule in Bengal.
• Significance of the Plassey Conspiracy
  • Highlighted the role of internal divisions and economic incentives in colonial conquests.
  • Demonstrated the British strategy of exploiting local rivalries to expand their influence.
  • Set the stage for further British expansion in India, leading to the establishment of the colonial state.