History of 23rd June- The Battle of Plassey
Explore the history of 23rd June, which includes the Battle of Plassey, marking the British East India Company’s rise in Bengal; the completion of the Bombay Duncan Dock, symbolizing Mumbai’s maritime growth; and the issuance of the Simon Commission’s recommendations, shaping India’s constitutional future.
As I turn the pages of the history of 23rd June, I see that it is perhaps this day which marks the beginning of British rule in India. Before I share more on this let me also inform you that it is this day when Christopher L. Sholes received a patent for a typewriter. Many more events occurred on this day, however, I have chosen a few from the history of 23rd June which I shall share with you.
The Battle of Plassey
East India Company had established a base in Calcutta as a trading company in 1690. However soon they tried to gain more control over Calcutta. Realising this the Nawab of Bengal Siraj ud- Daulah launched a massive attack and defeated the company’s army in the Siege of Calcutta. This I discussed in my 17th story.
The British realized that it is almost impossible to defeat the Nawab. They started conspiring against Siraj and soon gained the confidence of some Zamindars by bribing them. What followed was the Battle of Plassey, which took place on 23 June 1757. This battle marked a turning point in British control over Bengal and laid the foundation for their subsequent domination of the Indian subcontinent.
Robert Clive, along with his accomplices, hatched a plan to support Mir Jafar in a rebellion against the Nawab. The conspirators aimed to install Mir Jafar as the new Nawab, who would be more favorable to British interests. The British East India Company saw this as an opportunity to establish greater control over Bengal and its lucrative trade. They also found the loyalty of Raja Krishnachandra, the organization Jagath Seth, and some more Zamindars.
On 23 June 1757, the Battle of Plassey commenced. Siraj Ud-Daulah’s forces outnumbered the British, but the betrayal of Mir Jafar led to a decisive victory for the British. The battle was relatively short, lasting only a few hours, and resulted in the defeat of Siraj ud-Daulah’s army.
Following the battle, Mir Jafar was installed as the new Nawab of Bengal, effectively becoming a puppet ruler under the British East India Company. This victory at Plassey gave the British a firm foothold in Bengal and paved the way for their subsequent expansion throughout the Indian subcontinent.
With this, I come to my next story from the history of 23rd June.
The Bombay Duncan Dock
On 23 June 1810, an important milestone was reached in the development of Bombay (now Mumbai), India, as the construction work of Duncan Dock was completed under the skilled guidance of engineer Thomas W. Powell. This momentous occasion marked a significant achievement in the city’s maritime infrastructure. Named after the Governor of Bombay at the time, Jonathan Duncan, the dock was a testament to the growing importance of Bombay as a bustling trading port.
With its completion, the Duncan Dock provided a crucial space for docking and unloading ships, facilitating efficient trade and commerce. This achievement laid the foundation for further expansion and modernization of Bombay’s harbor, ultimately transforming it into one of the most important seaports in the region. The efforts of engineer Thomas W. Powell played a pivotal role in shaping Bombay’s maritime history.
Now my next story from the history of 23rd June.
The Simon Commission
On June 23, 1930, in London, a significant event took place with the issuance of the Simon Commission’s recommendations. The Simon Commission, officially known as the Indian Statutory Commission, was established by the British government to examine and make recommendations regarding India’s constitutional future. One of the key recommendations put forth by the commission was the idea of a federal India, suggesting a decentralized system of governance that would grant a considerable degree of autonomy to the provinces. Additionally, the commission proposed the separation of Burma from India, acknowledging the distinct historical and cultural identities of the two regions. These recommendations played a crucial role in shaping the political discourse and setting the stage for India’s eventual independence struggle.
With this, we come to the end of this episode.
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