Arrange the following in correct chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
A. Battle of Porto Novo
B. Battle of Plassey
C. Battle of Wandiwash
D. Battle of Buxar
Codes :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

The correct chronological order of the battles is determined by their respective dates, which mark critical milestones in the expansion of British power in India.

The **Battle of Plassey (B)** was fought first, on June 23, 1757, securing the British East India Company's dominance in Bengal and beginning their political control in India.

The next significant event was the **Battle of Wandiwash (C)** on January 22, 1760. This was the decisive engagement of the Third Carnatic War, where the British decisively defeated the French, eliminating them as a colonial rival in India.

This was followed by the **Battle of Buxar (D)**, which took place on October 22–23, 1764. This battle confirmed the British control over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha by defeating the combined forces of the Mughal Emperor, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Nawab of Bengal, cementing the Company's status as a major political force.

The last battle listed is the **Battle of Porto Novo (A)**, fought on July 1, 1781, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, where the British forces defeated the army of Hyder Ali.

Thus, the correct chronological sequence is B (1757), C (1760), D (1764), and A (1781), corresponding to the code B C D A.

The incorrect option is 1 (B D A C): This sequence places the Battle of Buxar (D) before the Battle of Wandiwash (C), which is incorrect as Buxar (1764) occurred after Wandiwash (1760). It also places the Battle of Porto Novo (A) before Wandiwash (C), which is wrong as Porto Novo (1781) happened much later.

The incorrect option is 3 (C B A D): This option incorrectly starts with the Battle of Wandiwash (C: 1760) and places it before the Battle of Plassey (B: 1757). It also incorrectly places Porto Novo (A: 1781) before Buxar (D: 1764). The battles of Plassey and Wandiwash were pivotal in establishing the initial foundation of British supremacy, with Plassey always being the earliest event among these four.

The incorrect option is 4 (C A D B): This option begins with Wandiwash (C: 1760) instead of Plassey (B: 1757), which is chronologically incorrect. It then lists Porto Novo (A: 1781) second, which is the last battle on the list. Finally, placing Buxar (D: 1764) before Plassey (B: 1757) is also historically inaccurate, demonstrating a misunderstanding of the timelines.