The period between 1757 and 1765 was marked by several significant changes in Bengal, including the establishment of British rule, the decline of the Mughal Empire, and the emergence of new political actors. However, whether these changes can be characterized as a “political revolution” in Bengal is debatable.
British rule in Bengal was established following the events of the Battle of Plassey in 1757. Initially, the British East India Company did not intend to establish direct rule over Bengal, but rather to secure economic concessions from local rulers. Gradually, the Company consolidated its power in Bengal, establishing its own administration and collecting revenue. The Company also expanded its territorial control, annexing territories such as Bihar and Orissa. This process led to significant changes in the political and economic structure of Bengal, including the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy individuals.
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The decline of the Mughal Empire also had a significant impact on the political landscape of Bengal. The Mughal emperor, Alamgir II, was assassinated in 1759, marking the beginning of a period of political instability in Delhi. This instability allowed regional powers such as the Marathas and the Afghans to expand their influence, further weakening the Mughal Empire. In Bengal, this decline paved the way for the emergence of new political actors, such as the Company and the nawabs of Bengal.
Despite these changes, there were several attempts by local rulers to resist British rule during this period. For example, in 1763, the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II attempted to regain control of Bengal by forming an alliance with the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim. However, this alliance was defeated by the British in the Battle of Buxar, and Shah Alam II was forced to sign the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, which granted the Company the right to collect revenue from Bengal, Orissa, & Bihar.
Whether the changes that occurred during this period can be considered a political revolution in Bengal is difficult to determine. If we define a political revolution as a sudden, radical change in the political structure of a society, then it is difficult to argue that such a revolution occurred in Bengal during this period. However, if we define a political revolution more broadly as a period of significant political and social change, then it could be argued that such a revolution did occur in Bengal between 1757-1765. These changes had long-term consequences for the region, including the establishment of British rule, the displacement of millions of peasants, and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy individuals.
Moreover, this period marked the beginning of a larger process of colonialism and imperialism in India, which had profound political, social, and economic consequences for the country as a whole. British rule in India lasted for almost two centuries, during which time the country underwent significant transformations, including the introduction of new technologies, the emergence of new social classes, and the growth of nationalist movements.
In conclusion, while the period between 1757-1765 in Bengal may not be characterized as a political revolution in the strict sense, it was a time of significant change in the political and economic structure of the region. These changes marked the beginning of a larger process of colonialism and imperialism in India, which had far-reaching consequences for the country as a whole. Understanding this period is essential to understanding the complex history of Bengal and India more broadly.