Battle of Buxar (1764) – UPSC GS1

The seeds of the Battle of Buxar were sown after the Battle of Plassey, when Mir Qasim became the Nawab of Bengal. The primary cause was the conflict between the English and Mir Qasim.

Mir Qasim was an able Nawab. The English wanted Mir to remain as a puppet in their hands. But, he always wanted to keep himself away from the British influence. He undertook some reformation, under which there was a reduction in expenditure on administration and palaces; fire locks and guns were manufactured, there was regular payment of salaries, new taxes were imposed and the capital was shifted from Monghyar to Murshidabad, which annoyed the British nobles and officers. He abolished taxes altogether to curb abuse of dastak by British which infuriated British.

These situation led to a number of conflicts between him and the English. He was defeated in three successive battles (between June to September 1763) before the Battle of Buxar, which eventually compelled him to flee to Allahabad where he met Shuja-ud-Daulah.

In the meantime, after the acquisition of power as the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II also wanted to combine several states as one physically stronger empire, which included Bengal (present Bengal+Bihar+Orissa). But, he also could not overpower the British and was under the shelter of Oudh Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah who always wanted to destroy the English supremacy in Bengal.

Thus, one of the main causes of hostility between the English and the three rulers was the share of Bengal. Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II joined hands to fight against the English to establish their sovereignty over the whole of Bengal and reduce the power of the British.

The Battle of Buxar was fought on 23 October 1764 at the battleground Katkauli, 6 kilometres from Buxar, then within the territory of Bengal, between the forces of the British East India Company led by Hector Munro and the combined army of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daulah (the Nawab of Awadh) and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.

The Mughal camp was internally broken due to a quarrel between the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Shuja-ud-Daula; Mir Qasim was reluctant to engage the British. The lack of basic co-ordination among the three desperate allies was responsible for their decisive debacle.

After the war, Mir Kasim fled to the North-West and died. Shah Alam II left Shuja-ud-Daulah and sought shelter in the British camp. Shuja-ud-Daulah tried to defeat the British till 1765 but was not successful. He later fled to Rohilkhand.

Clive was in England when Battle of Buxar was fought and won by the British. In 1765, Clive returned as Governor General of Bengal for the second time. By this time, the British had shown their military supremacy in India for, the Battle of Buxar was tough contested battle, than the Battle of Plassey which was won by deceit.

Battle of Buxar ended with Treaty of Allahabad.

The seeds of British imperialism sown at Plassey flowered after the Battle of Buxar, a fact that makes the later battle historically more important. It finally consolidated British rule in Bengal, the Nawab was reduced to a mere figure-head, the Company started an unchecked plundering of the wealth of Bengal, the Nawab of Oudh turned to a submissive ally and the Mughal emperor was reduced to thriving on an allowance from the Company.

The Battle of Buxar proved to be decisive resulting in the establishment of British sovereignty in Bengal. This battle brought out the political weaknesses and military shortcomings of the Indians and the hollowness of the Mughal Empire. Battle of Buxar proved the military superiority of the English and exposed the inherent weakness of the native force. It was more important than Battle of Plassey as Battle of Plassey was not won by military might but deceit. Also If Plassey saw defeat of the Nawab of bengal, Buxar saw defeat of Mughal Emperor and powerful Oudh.

The Treaty of Allahabad heralded the establishment of the rule of the East India Company in one-eighth of India with a single stroke.

While the Battle of Plassey secured a foothold for the British East India Company in India, the Battle of Buxar made them the dominant force in India. Buxar war completed the work of Plassey.

The East India Company, after the battle of Buxar, gained dominance over entire Bengal. The Mughal emperor came fully under the control of British. All duties and revenues from the most prosperous Indian province (Bengal, Bihar and Orissa) went to the company. It also gained administrative power by controlling the army, finances, and revenues.

With the wealth of Bengal, the British could conquer other regions of India. The supremacy of the British was established in the Eastern parts of India. Buxar finally riveted the shackles of company’s rule upon Bengal.

The verdict of Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.