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| The British lion and Bengal tiger.www.bonhams.com |
Above image: Artistic depictions like the "Bengal Tiger vs. British Lion" metaphorically represent the struggle between local divided rulers and the deceptive and cunning British traders who subsequently became rulers of the Indian subcontinent for nearly 200 years. India's GDP reduced from 23 to meagre 3 to 4. Their GDP rose from 4 to 23 plus............
During the late 1600s and 1700 Indian history's narrative became a subject of discussion among the scholars because the dramatic shift in Bengal's fortunes from a prosperous region under strong Nawabs to that of foreign invaders from England as so fast with dwindling treasury it hit he bottom of the hill. In the aftermath the rulers and the natives were pushed to a pathetic state from which redemption was impossible. The company chose India because of its strong economy, quality goods and above all stable and cooperative rulers.
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When the English company entered the fertile soil of Bengal nurtured by the Ganges river, they were struck by their richness, abundance and active and talented natives. The British imperialists, over a period of time became aware of the internal turmoil going on in the Nawab's corridor of power. Taking advantage of the unstable political scenario and the presence of dissident Amirs within the court ready to topple the intemperate ruler the EIC gained trust and slowly had begun to run on Bengal and its administration. East India Company's manipulative tactics included cheating, exploitation, dishonesty and betrayal, to take over a country. There was no match for their Machiavellian approach to grab the land and vast revenue. Here's a breakdown of the key themes and events that lead to the ultimate consolidation of british rule in India and later British Empire.
Bengal's Prosperity in the Early 1700s
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| EIC. slideserve.com |
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| East India Co in India slideserve.com |
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| EIC in Bengal slideserve.com |
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Economic Flourish: Bengal, under Nawabs like Murshid Quli Khan, Shuja, and Alivardi Khan, was a hub of trade, industry, and agriculture. Export commodities included textiles, silk, saltpeter, opium, and indigo. Cities like Murshidabad, Decca (Dhaka), and Hughli were vibrant economic centers. Banking was advanced, with the Jagat Seths rivaling the Bank of England in sophistication.
Urban Growth: The population of Calcutta rose significantly, and other cities like Decca and Murshidabad flourished due to trade and employment opportunities.
British Entry and Economic Exploitation
Initial Engagement: The British East India Company started trading in Bengal peacefully, setting up factories with Mughal permissions (Hariharpur, Balasore, Hughli). Job Charnock's establishment of Calcutta and Fort William laid the groundwork for British consoli dation.
Taxation and Privileges: Local traders bore heavy taxes, while British traders enjoyed tax exemptions, creating an unfair economic advantage. Nawab Murshid Quli Khan attempted to curtail British privileges, but they regained them through Mughal farmans in 1717 under Emperor Farrukhsiyar, enabling duty-free trade in exchange for a nominal annual payment.
The Fall of Bengal Decline of Mughal Power: As Mughal authority waned, the Nawabs of Bengal sought greater autonomy. However, this independence left Bengal vulnerable to British manipulation.
British Aggression: The British exploited political instability and their economic privileges to challenge local rulers. This strategy culminated in confrontations like the Battle of Plassey (1757), marking the beginning of British dominance.
Global Impact The annexation of Bengal provided the British Crown with immense revenue, fueling imperial expansion and industrialization in Britain. Conversely, Bengal's economy, once thriving, descended into poverty due to exploitation and mismanagement under British rule. This initial fall of local power and ascendency was initiated by Robert Clive and his coworkers who in cahoot with unpatriotic roer retirement yal family members. I involved deception, murders and looting of treasures , a part of it was acquired by Robert Clive himself. After retirement from EIC he was back in England with a big loot. Apart, he won appreciation from a section of Parliament and honors At the same time he because a center of controversy because of his ill-gotten wealth. Any way, he laid the basic foundation upon which British Empire was built by other British administrators chosen by the government. The entire unethical operations were done in collusion with the British Royal Family headed by queens and kings
Cultural and Historical Context Symbols of Resistance:
Artistic depictions like the "Bengal Tiger vs. British Lion" metaphorically represent the struggle between local divided rulers and the deceptive and cunning British traders
Legacy of Prosperity: The "Paradise of Bengal" image from the era of the Nawabs starkly contrasts with the desolation under colonial rule. This historical account emphasizes the shift from prosperity to penury through exploitation, intrigues and subtle cheating by the British Bobs centuries ago.
