Battle of Buxar 1764: Causes, Background, Result, Importance
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 26, 2025
12
mins read
The Battle of Buxar ( October 22, 1764 ) was a decisive conflict in Indian history. It pitted the forces of the British East India Company against a union of Indian powers: the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh, and the Mughal Emperor.
The British, led by Major Sir Hector Munro, achieved a resounding victory This triumph confirmed Company control over Bengal and Bihar (following the earlier success at Plassey in 1757) and set the stage for Britain’s rise as the dominant power in northern India.
Background to the 1764 Battle of Buxar
Preceding Events
Battle of Plassey (1757): The Company’s victory at Plassey ousted Siraj-ud-Daulah and installed Mir Jafar as the puppet Nawab of Bengal.
Mir Jafar’s Revolt: Mir Jafar later conspired with the Dutch East India Company against the British. When he rebelled in 1760, the Company forced him to abdicate and gave him a pension.
Rise of Mir Qasim: The British then named Mir Jafar’s son-in-law Mir Qasim as the new Nawab of Bengal. Mir Qasim initially cooperated with the Company, but soon sought greater independence.
There was a series of events that occurred with the advent of the Europeans. British officers expected Mir Qasim to be a compliant ruler. Instead, he asserted Bengal’s sovereignty. He relocated the capital from Murshidabad to Munger (Bihar) and built a modern army with European officers.
Causes of the Battle of Buxar
Misuse of Trade Privileges:
The Company’s officials had long exploited imperial farmans and dastaks to bypass customs duties. This abuse devastated the Nawab’s treasury and local merchants.
Mir Qasim’s attempts to stop this fraud (by levying duties) directly challenged the Company’s profits.
Mir Qasim’s Reforms:
Determined to run Bengal independently, Qasim moved the capital to Munger (1762) and recruited European officers to train his army. He abolished all customs duties, “leveling” the playing field between British and Indian traders.
He refused to grant the East India Company the usual exemptions. These bold reforms provoked the British, who demanded restoration of their lost privileges.
Formation of an Anti-British Alliance:
Qasim’s conflicts with the Company drove him into alliance with neighboring powers. The Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor shared his interest in curbing Company dominance.
In 1763–64 Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II joined forces to eject the English from Bengal. Their combined grievances over trade and sovereignty united them in war against the Company.
These factors – economic oppression by the Company and native resistance – culminated in all-out war. When negotiations failed, both sides prepared for battle at Buxar.
Course of the Battle of Buxar
The Battle of Buxar (1764) was strategically fought with the British forces under Major Hector Munro dividing their army effectively into three sections : left flank, right flank, and central reserve. The British sepoys and cavalry executed a well-coordinated attack, quickly capturing key positions and flanking the allied forces comprising Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and the Mughal Emperor.
Despite their numerical advantage, the allied forces were encircled and suffered heavy losses due to the superior discipline and firepower of the British troops. The battle ended decisively with the collapse of the Indian alliance’s army. Mir Qasim fled, while key leaders like Shuja-ud-Daulah and Shah Alam II surrendered to the British.
Result of Battle of Buxar 1764
Treaty of Allahabad (1765)
In the wake of Buxar, Robert Clive (soon to be Governor of Bengal) negotiated treaties at Allahabad in August 1765. These settlements formalized British gains:
With Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah (Awadh): Shuja ceded the strategic districts of Allahabad and Kara (which he passed to Shah Alam II). He paid a war indemnity of ₹50 lakh to the Company and agreed to compensate the Banaras zamindar, Balwant Singh. Importantly, Awadh remained intact as a buffer state under Shuja’s rule (now allied to the British).
With Emperor Shah Alam II: Shah Alam renounced his nominal sovereignty over Bengal. He was to reside under Company protection in Allahabad (granted by Shuja). Crucially, he issued a farman granting the Diwani (revenue rights) of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the Company for an annual payment of ₹26 lakh. In return, Shah Alam retained nominal Nizamat (administrative) authority but was made to pay an annual tribute of ₹53 lakh for upkeep of those provinces.
Political Implications
Company’s Dual Government:
After Buxar the EIC formally took over Bengal’s administration. Clive instituted the dual government (1765–72) in Bengal, splitting authority between the Company and a nominal Nawab.
The Company controlled the Diwani (revenue collection) and Nizamat (army and police), while the Nawab retained only ceremonial status. In practice, the British wielded all power and funnelled Bengal’s wealth to themselves.
Regional Power Shift:
Buxar shattered the last illusions of Mughal authority. The three Indian rulers in the battle were neutralized Mir Qasim lost Bengal, Shuja-ud-Daulah became a subordinate ally, and Shah Alam II was pensioned in Allahabad.
The Company now dominated the richest provinces of India. This victory paved the way for expansion into Awadh, Hyderabad, and beyond.
Economic Control:
By gaining Diwani rights, the British secured Bengal’s vast revenues. This funding fueled further conquests. At the same time, Indian traders and artisans suffered – Company monopolies and abuse of trade privileges ruined local industries (as happened under dual government).
Bengal’s revenue was largely extracted by the Company, financing the colonial administration and Army.
Features of the Dual Government
Through the Dual Government System, the Company divided administrative powers emanating from its control of the revenue and judicial functions so that real power and control remained with the Company and the British, while the Nawab retained nominal control.
Revenue Collection (Diwani): The Company captured the Mughal emperor’s revenue collection authority which permitted the Company to access and exploit the financial resources of Bengal and maintain the Company’s colonial expansion.
Judicial and Police Authority (Nizamat): The Nawab of Bengal was permitted to exercise nominal control of the judicial and police powers which the Company indirectly exerted through the deputy subabdar, thus reining control of the peace and order functions of the governance.
Political Advantages for the Company: The arrangement politically benefitted the Company by enabling it to maintain a front of native rule with the Nawab merely serving as a political proxy or figurehead while real authority was exercised by British officials. This was a consequence of the Nawab’s money and military power dependence on the Company.
Why did the Dual government fail?
Separation of Power and Responsibility:
The Company had complete financial control without being answerable for its actions. While the Nawab was responsible only in name but had no real authority or resources.
The mismatch between real power and face led to administrative paralysis. Neither party cared for the welfare of public or effective governance.
Widespread Corruption and Misrule:
The Company officials and Indian supervisors often misused their powers for personal gain.
The local trade was destroyed by the abuse of trading privileges.
Neglect of Agriculture and Public Works
Annually land tax was auctioned to the highest bidder as it could give maximum short-term revenue.
The contractors extorted the cultivators as much as they could. The farmers were left with no incentive to invest further in their crop.
This exploitation and neglect played a direct role in the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, which destroyed the province.
Breakdown of Law and Order
Due to the collapse of administration , lawlessness and banditry increased.
The justice system was compromised by British interference and arbitrary appointments. This led to denial of justice to the common people.
Impact on Society and Economy
Bengal’s skilled artisans and weavers abandoned their traditional professions, leading to mass unemployment and the collapse of once-flourishing industries like silk and cotton.
The Company’s annual revenue also suffered as economic disruption deepened.
The dual government proved disastrous for Bengal’s people (rampant corruption and famine resulted). Warren Hastings abolished it in 1772, taking full Company control over civil administration.
The British Parliament passed the Regulating Act of 1773 soon after, asserting government oversight of the Company. In sum, Buxar transformed British India: the Company had become the de facto ruler, laying foundations for the Raj.
Importance of the Battle of Buxar
Military and Strategic:
The battle demonstrated the superiority of British military organization and firepower over traditional Indian armies.
It exposed the fractures among Indian rulers – their combined force still could not coordinate effectively.
It showed that diplomacy and treachery alone (as at Plassey) were no longer needed. British arms were more than a match for native alliances.
Political Legacy:
Buxar entrenched British supremacy. The Company secured lasting control over Bengal and opened the door to influencing Delhi.
Shah Alam II effectively became the Company’s “rubber stamp,” legitimizing EIC rule through his farman.
Awadh, though spared outright annexation, came under British influence as a buffer.
Economic Impact:
By capturing Bengal’s revenues, the Company gained a vast financial base.
This enabled the pursuit of territorial expansion and trade monopolies. The defeat of Bengal’s independent government meant local industries (textiles, silk) were later decimated under Company policy.
The battle thus marked the beginning of formal economic exploitation of Bengal – a trend that would eventually extend across India.
The Battle of Buxar was a watershed event that secured British supremacy in India. The defeat of Mir Qasim and the Mughal and Awadh rulers ended any serious challenge to Company rule in the north. By winning at Buxar, the Company not only gained fiscal control over Bengal but also legitimized its authority through the Treaty of Allahabad.
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