Basic Facts

• Year: 22 October 1764
• Place: Buxar (Bihar)
• British Commander: Major Hector Munro
• Opposing Alliance:
  • Mir Kasim (ex-Nawab of Bengal)
  • Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Awadh)
  • Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor)

Immediate & Structural Causes

• Misuse of Dastaks:
  • EIC officials used duty-free passes for private trade → loss of Bengal revenue.
• Assertion by Mir Kasim:
  • Abolished all internal transit duties to ensure equality → opposed by the Company.
• British interference in administration:
  • Support to Ram Narayan (Deputy Governor of Bihar).
• Armed conflict (1763):
  • Wars between Mir Kasim and the Company led to Buxar.

Course of the Battle

• The British defeated the combined Indian forces decisively.
• English victories at Katwah, Murshidabad, Giria, Sooty, Munger.
• The battle was short but decisive → ended organized resistance.

Significance / Impact

• First time the British defeated:
  • A Nawab + Mughal Emperor together.
• English emerged as a major power in North India.
• The foundation of British political rule, not just commercial control.
• Plassey gave foothold, Buxar gave authority.

Treaty of Allahabad (1765)

Signed by Robert Clive

With Shah Alam II

• Granted Diwani rights of:
  • Bengal, Bihar, Orissa to EIC.
• Annual tribute of ₹26 lakh to the Emperor.
• ₹53 lakh for Nizamat expenses.

With Shuja-ud-Daulah

• Paid ₹50 lakh war indemnity.
• Allahabad & Kara were given to Shah Alam II.
• Awadh was made a buffer state.

Administrative Consequences

• Dual Government of Bengal (1765–1772):
  • Company: Diwani (revenue)
  • Nawab: Nizamat (police & justice)
• Real power with the Company; Nawab became nominal.

Failure of Dual Government

• Breakdown of administration.
• Exploitation of peasants and artisans.
• Destruction of:
  • Bengal silk industry
  • Cotton textiles
• Severe revenue extraction → famine of 1767–69.

Abolition of Dual Government

• Abolished by Warren Hastings (1772).
• Company assumed:
  • Revenue collection
  • Civil justice
  • Administrative control
• Nawab was reduced to a pensioner.
• The company became the de facto ruler of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.