When was the Battle of Buxar fought?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (2): The Battle of Buxar was a pivotal confrontation in Indian history, fought on 22-23 October 1764. This battle was fought between the forces of the British East India Company, led by Major Hector Munro, and the combined armies of Mir Qasim (the Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (the Nawab of Awadh), and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. The British victory in this battle solidified their military supremacy in Bengal and laid the foundation for their territorial expansion and eventual dominance over a large part of India. It effectively ended the significant resistance of Indian rulers against British power in the region, leading to the Treaty of Allahabad in 1765, which granted the East India Company Diwani rights (the right to collect revenue) over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

The incorrect option is (1): 1754. While the mid-18th century was a period of intense Anglo-French rivalry and political instability in India, 1754 does not mark the Battle of Buxar. This period saw various local skirmishes and political realignments, but not this decisive battle. The major battle preceding Buxar, the Battle of Plassey, took place in 1757.

The incorrect option is (3): 1744. The year 1744 falls within the early stages of Anglo-French conflicts in India, specifically the First Carnatic War (1744-1748), which was a part of the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe. These conflicts were primarily concentrated in South India and did not involve the major powers that participated in the Battle of Buxar in Bengal and Awadh.

The incorrect option is (4): 1784. The year 1784 is significantly later than the Battle of Buxar. By this time, the British East India Company had already consolidated its power in Bengal and was engaged in further expansionist policies and conflicts, such as the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784). The political landscape of India had significantly changed by 1784, with British influence firmly established in many regions.