Battle of Buxar (1764): Timeline, Treaty of Allahabad & Differences

The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22 October 1764 between the British East India Company under Major Hector Munro and the tripartite alliance of Nawab of Bengal Mir Qasim, Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab of Awadh Shuja-ud-daulah. Although the Britishers including Indian sepoys were having around 17,000 troops but using superior artillery and trained personnel, they defeated about 40,000 troops of the combined armies of the Mughal empire. Buxar was a decisive battle that reaffirmed British dominance over Bengal and Bihar after their victory in the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

The Battle of Buxar 1764 was concluded with the Treaty of Allahabad 1765 wherein the Mughal Emperor granted the Diwani Rights or the rights to collect tax revenues over Bengal, Bihar and Odhisha. At that time, these 3 provinces were the wealthiest in India and for the 1st time a private company became the tax collector of an empire. Britishers used Indian tax money to purchase Indian goods and exported the items to England for profit.

In 1765, the Dual System of Governance where Diwani were given to Britishers & Nizamat, the responsibility of administration, law and order was retained by the Mughal empire. It gave power without responsibility to the East India Company who drained the wealth of Bengal that finally led to the Great Bengal Famine in 1770.

The Treaty of Allahabad was signed in August 1765 after the decisive victory of the British East India Company in the battle of Buxar in 1764. Under the treaty, the company made separate settlements with Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab Shuja-ud-daula of Awadh.

• Shah Alam II issued the Diwani which grants the company the right to collect revenue from the regions of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
• The company agreed to pay the Emperor an annual payment of Rs. 26 lakh. Shuja-ud-daula was restored to Awadh as a buffer state. However, it had to pay an indemnity of war of Rs. 50 Lakh. Additionally, the regions of Allahabad and Kora were ceded to Shah Alam II.
• The treaty of Allahabad gave the East India Company a legal collection right and huge revenue resources to expand its regional power.
• The treaty also made the Mughal emperor dependent on the company for their protection. The grant of Diwani led to the Dual Government in Bengal in 1765 to 1772. Here, the company controlled the revenue whereas the Nawab nominally managed administration.
• Therefore, the treaty of Allahabad marked a decisive step in establishing British political and economic dominance in India.

Who won the Battle of Buxar?

The British East India Company won the Battle of Buxar.

When was the Battle of Buxar fought?

The Battle of Buxar was fought on 22nd October 1764.

What is the Battle of Buxar?

The Battle of Buxar was a decisive war fought between the British EIC and the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-daula and Shah Alam II in 1764.

What were the consequences of the battle of Buxar?

The consequences of the battle is that it established the British East India Company as a major political power. The battle also gave the Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha through the treaty of Allahabad in 1765.