Battle of Buxar – Causes, Impact, and Consequences of Buxar War

Battle of Buxar

The Battle of Buxar, which took place on October 22, 1764, was a crucial event that saw the forces of the British East India Company engage in combat with the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal Nawab Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-Daula, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II near the town of Buxar. The British forces, led by Major Hector Munro, were numerically inferior to the Indian forces led by Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal, and his allies.

Battle of Buxar UPSC Notes

Nevertheless, the British forces emerged victorious due to their superior military tactics and weaponry, which allowed them to overcome their numerical disadvantage. The battle lasted for several hours, and while the British forces suffered only a few hundred casualties, it was estimated that around 2,000 Indian soldiers were killed in this battle.

Battle of Buxar 1764: Background

The background of the Battle of Buxar can be traced back to the decline of the Mughal Empire in the mid-18th century. As the power of the Mughal Empire weakened, various regional powers began to assert their dominance over different parts of India. The East India Company had established itself as a major player in Indian politics and had gained control over several important territories, including Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, was a regional power that wanted to expand its territory and influence.

In 1756, Siraj ud-Daulah captured the British Fort William in Calcutta, leading to the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta, where many British prisoners died due to suffocation. The British retaliated by sending troops led by Robert Clive, who defeated Siraj ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and established British control over Bengal. However, the British faced opposition from other regional powers, such as the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor, which ultimately led to the Battle of Buxar in 1764.

Causes of Battle of Buxar

Several causes led to the Battle of Buxar, which was fought on October 22, 1764, between the British East India Company and a coalition of Indian rulers led by the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Some of the causes of battle of Buxar are listed below:

• Firstly, the British East India Company was expanding its territories in India, which threatened the regional powers, especially the Nawab of Bengal, who had already lost control over a significant part of his kingdom to the British. The Nawab of Awadh was also concerned about the British presence in India.
• Secondly, the British East India Company had economic interests in India and was primarily interested in exploiting the resources of the country, including its agricultural and commercial potential. This led to a clash of interests with the local rulers, who also wanted to benefit from the resources of their kingdoms.
• Thirdly, the Mughal Empire was in decline, and the British and other regional powers saw an opportunity to establish their dominance over India. The Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II, sought support from the regional powers to regain control over his empire.
• Fourthly, there were disputes over revenue between the British and the local rulers. The British imposed several taxes and tariffs on the local population, which led to discontent among the people. The Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, was also unhappy with the British for interfering in his revenue collection and had tried to impose his taxes on British traders.
• Lastly, there were several military conflicts between the British and the regional powers, including the Nawab of Bengal’s defeat in the Battle of Plassey 1757, which had established British control over Bengal. The Nawab of Awadh during the battle of Buxar was also defeated by the British.

These underlying causes eventually led to the Battle of Buxar, which marked a significant turning point in the history of India and consolidated British control over the region.

Battle of Buxar Was Fought Between?

The table below provides details about the participants in the Battle of Buxar and their significance in the battle:

Participants	Role in the Battle of Buxar
Mir Qasim (Administering Bengal in place of Mir Jafar, Nawab of Bengal)	Allied with the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II for the Buxar War
Shuja-Ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh/Oudh)	He was one of the main leaders of the Indian coalition forces. He commanded a large army against the British due to their support for the Nawab of Bengal
Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor)	He was the nominal leader of the Indian coalition forces. He joined forces with the Nawab of Oudh and the Nawab of Bengal to challenge the British East India Company
Hector Munro (British Army Major)	He Led the British East India Company and had a well-equipped army. They defeated the Indian coalition forces and emerged victorious
Robert Clive	Signed the treaties with Shuja-Ud-Daulah and Shah Alam-II after winning the Battle of Buxar and served as Governor of Bengal from 1765 to 1767

Timeline of Buxar War

The British East India Company and an Indian coalition commanded by the Mughal Emperor and the Nawabs of Bengal and Oudh battled each other at the Battle of Buxar in 1764.

The British East India Company’s superior weaponry and tactics resulted in their decisive victory, solidifying their control over India. The timeline of the Battle of Buxar has been discussed below:

• 1757: The British East India Company defeats the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, in the Battle of Plassey and establishes their control over Bengal.
• 1760: The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II is deposed by his courtiers and seeks support from Indian rulers to regain his throne.
• 1762: The Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, who had been appointed by the British East India Company, turned against them due to disputes over revenue sharing and trade policies.
• 1764: The Indian coalition forces, led by Shah Alam II, the Nawab of Oudh, and the Nawab of Bengal, joined forces to challenge the British East India Company.
• October 22, 1764: The Battle of Buxar takes place, with the British East India Company led by Hector Munro and the Indian coalition forces facing off. The British East India Company’s superior weaponry and tactics give them a decisive victory over the Indian coalition.
• November 1764: Shah Alam II surrenders to the British East India Company and agrees to sign the Treaty of Allahabad.
• August 1765: The Treaty of Allahabad was signed, which granted the British East India Company the revenue-collecting rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, effectively cementing their control over these regions.

Result of Battle of Buxar

The Battle of Buxar significantly impacted Indian society. The displacement of traditional rulers and the introduction of British colonial policies and systems of governance led to significant changes in Indian culture and society.

The battle marked the consolidation of British power in India, leading to the establishment of British Rule and the weakening of the Mughal Empire. The results of the Battle of Buxar have been discussed below:

• Major Hector Munro led the British army to a victory, with Robert Clive playing a major role in that. After the Buxar war, the English became a great power in the North, with the province of Awadh and the Mughal territory under them.
• The districts of Midnapore, Burdwan, and Chittagong were handed over to the English to maintain the army by Mir Qasim.
• After the Battle of Buxar 1764, Duty-free trade permits were given to English merchants. Only salt was still taxed at 2 percent.
• The death of Mir Jafar put Najm Ud-Daula, his minor son, on the throne. However, this was merely a nod-off to the position as all of the administrative powers and military were in the hands of the English.
• The Treaty of Allahabad settled things with Shah Alam II and Shuja-Ud-Daula of Awadh.

Treaty of Allahabad

Following the Battle of Buxar on October 22, 1764, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Robert Clive of the East India Company signed the Treaty of Allahabad on August 16, 1765. Here are the key points of the Allahabad treaty:

• The treaty granted the East India Company the Diwani or revenue rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa provinces.
• The Company was given the right to collect revenue directly from the people of these provinces, which had previously been the responsibility of the Mughal Empire and the Nawabs.
• The Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa were handed over to the Company after a Farman had been summoned by Shah Alam II for a payment of Rs 26 lakh annually.
• For the return of the Nizamat functions like defense, police, and carrying out the course of justice, Shah Alam II had to pay Rs 53 lakhs to the Company.
• The treaty also recognized the Nawab of Awadh as an independent ruler, but he was forced to pay a large indemnity to the East India Company for their help in the battle of Buxar.
• The treaty marked the beginning of British dominance in India and the decline of the Mughal Empire, which had already been weakened by invasions and internal strife.
• The Diwani rights allowed the East India Company to control the economy of Bengal, which was one of the richest provinces in India at the time. This helped the Company to build a strong financial base and expand its influence in other parts of India.

Significance of Buxar War

The Battle of Buxar was a significant event in Indian history, as it marked a decisive victory for the British East India Company over the combined forces of the Mughal Empire, the Nawab of Bengal, and Awadh. Read the below points to know the significance of Buxar War:

• The victory at Buxar Battle gave the British East India Company control over the province of Bengal, which was a significant economic and political center in India at the time. This paved the way for further British expansion and colonization in India.
• The Buxar Battle demonstrated the military superiority of the British East India Company over the native Indian forces.
• The Bengal province saw colonial domination formally cemented through the Buxar War. The forces of the EIC had defeated and replaced the Nawab.
• The Battle of Plassey ended the independence of the Nawab in Bengal. Still, the Battle of Buxar saw political control and domination from the British troops over the Awadh and Mughal Empires as well.
• The Buxar War had significant economic consequences for India. The British gained control over Bengal’s lucrative trade, which included textiles, silk, and opium. This allowed the British to further exploit India’s resources and wealth for their benefit.
• The Buxar battle is seen as a significant moment in the history of colonialism, as it marked the beginning of British dominance in India.

Impact of Battle of Buxar

The British triumph at the Battle of Buxar had far-reaching consequences for the history of India. The victory enabled the British to expand their control over the region and establish a firm grip on Indian territories. This victory paved the way for establishing British colonial rule over India.

The Battle of Buxar is significant for several reasons. It marked the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of the British East India Company’s control over India. Moreover, the British victory demonstrated the superiority of European military tactics and weapons over Indian counterparts, establishing British dominance over other parts of India.

Short Note on Battle of Buxar

The Battle of Buxar was a significant military engagement that occurred on October 22, 1764, near the town of Buxar in present-day Bihar, India. This battle was fought between the forces of the British East India Company and a coalition of native Indian powers. The Buxar battle was a critical victory for the British East India Company.

Despite facing a much larger army of around 40,000 soldiers, the British forces, led by Hector Munro, emerged victorious. The British used their superior military technology and tactics, such as artillery and disciplined infantry formations, to defeat the native Indian armies.

• The Battle of Buxar signaled the end of Mughal power in India.
• The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was compelled to sign the Treaty of Allahabad, which granted the British East India Company the right to collect revenue from Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa on behalf of the Mughal Emperor.
• Additionally, the British were awarded the Diwani rights, which enabled them to manage the administration and collection of revenue in these territories.

The consequences of the Battle of Buxar were far-reaching and profound. The native rulers of India were weakened, which provided an opportunity for British expansion and control in India. Overall, the Battle of Buxar was a momentous event in Indian history that marked the rise of British colonialism in India.

Battle of Buxar UPSC

The Battle of Buxar is a relevant topic in the History syllabus for UPSC. It is a turning point of the Indian independence struggle, making it an often enquired-about topic in the Prelims, Mains, and optional papers.

Candidates should brush up on their basics well and earmark all the facts to their memory. Follow appropriate History books for UPSC exam preparation. You can also refer to our collection of UPSC History notes to concisely crack the huge syllabus.

Battle of Buxar MCQs

Question: The first decisive military success of the British East India Company in India is marked by: Options: Battle of Buxar, Battle of Plassey, Battle of Wandiwash, Battle of Chillianwala

Answer: Battle of Buxar

Question: Who among the following joined Mir Qasim and Shuja-ud-Daula in declaring war upon the English East India Company and was later defeated by the British at the Battle of Buxar? Options: Farrukhsiyar, Jahandar Shah, Muhammad Shah, Shah Alam II

Answer: Shah Alam II

Question: With the reference to the Battle of Buxar, consider the following statements: (1) The British East Indian Company was led by Robert clive, (2) The battle of Buxar ended with the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, (3) Both 1 and 2 statements are correct, (4) None of the above

Answer: The battle of Buxar ended with the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765

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