Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 175

'Diwani' of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa was granted to the British by

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of the British East India Company's expansion in India.

Correct Answer: C) Nawab of Bengal.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Civil Services, Bank PO, Railway Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The term "Diwani" refers to the right to collect land revenue and administer civil justice. In the context of Indian history, the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa were a significant transfer of power and authority from the Mughal Empire to the British East India Company. This transfer took place in 1765, following the Battle of Buxar, where the British East India Company defeated the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II.

The Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II, was the nominal ruler of the Mughal Empire at the time, but the actual power was distributed among various regional Nawabs and other local rulers. The Nawab of Bengal, who was a vassal of the Mughal Emperor, held significant power in the region. After the British victory at Buxar, the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II, granted the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British East India Company. However, the actual transfer of these rights was carried out by the Nawab of Bengal, who was the local ruler and had the administrative control over the region.

The transfer of Diwani rights was a crucial step in the British East India Company's expansion in India. It allowed the Company to collect land revenue directly from the peasants, which was a significant source of income. This transfer marked the beginning of the British East India Company's direct rule over a large part of India, leading to the eventual establishment of the British Raj.

It is important to understand the historical context and the political structure of the Mughal Empire and its vassals to comprehend the transfer of Diwani rights. The Mughal Emperor was the nominal ruler, but the actual power was distributed among various regional Nawabs and other local rulers. The British East India Company's victory at Buxar and the subsequent transfer of Diwani rights were significant events that shaped the course of Indian history.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. Mir Qasim was the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763 and was not involved in the transfer of Diwani rights to the British East India Company.
  • Option B: Incorrect. Shah Alam II was the Mughal Emperor who granted the Diwani rights to the British East India Company, but the actual transfer was through the Nawab of Bengal.
  • Option C: Correct. The Nawab of Bengal, who was a vassal of the Mughal Emperor, was the one who transferred the Diwani rights of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British East India Company.
  • Option D: Incorrect. The transfer of Diwani rights was indeed carried out by the Nawab of Bengal, making this option incorrect.

Mnemonic: Remember "D-B-O" for Diwani, Bengal, Orissa.

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