Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 300

When was the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa granted to the East India Company?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the events following the Battle of Buxar.

Correct Answer: C) 1765

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was a significant event in the history of British colonial rule in India. The term "Diwani" refers to the right to collect land revenue, which was a crucial aspect of administrative control. The East India Company's acquisition of the Diwani was a pivotal moment that marked the transition from the company's role as a trading entity to a governing authority in India.

The events leading up to the grant of the Diwani began with the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This battle, fought between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, resulted in the British gaining control over the Nawab's territories. However, the Battle of Plassey did not directly grant the East India Company the Diwani rights. Instead, it established the company's influence over the Nawab and set the stage for further negotiations and conflicts.

The Battle of Buxar, fought in 1764, was a decisive event that led to the grant of the Diwani. This battle was fought between the East India Company and the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The British victory in this battle weakened the Mughal Empire's control over the region and strengthened the East India Company's position. As a result, in 1765, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the East India Company through the Treaty of Allahabad.

The grant of the Diwani was a significant step in the establishment of British rule in India. It allowed the East India Company to collect revenue directly from the land, which was a major source of wealth and power. This control over revenue collection enabled the company to consolidate its administrative and economic power in the region, paving the way for the eventual establishment of the British Raj in India.

It is important to distinguish between the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the grant of the Diwani (1765). While the Battle of Plassey marked the beginning of British influence in Bengal, the grant of the Diwani was the formal transfer of administrative and revenue rights, which solidified the East India Company's control over the region. Understanding the sequence of these events and their significance is crucial for comprehending the broader context of British colonial rule in India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. The Battle of Plassey occurred in 1757, which led to the East India Company's control over the Nawab of Bengal, but the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was granted in 1765.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. The year 1763 does not correspond to any significant event related to the transfer of Diwani rights to the East India Company. The Diwani was granted in 1765.
  • Option C: This option is correct. The Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa was granted to the East India Company in 1765, following the Battle of Buxar in 1764. This event marked the beginning of the East India Company's direct control over the region's revenue and administration.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. The correct date for the grant of the Diwani is 1765, which is explicitly mentioned in the correct option.

Mnemonic: D-B-O: Diwani, Battle, 1765

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