Write a short note on the Battle of Plassey.
The Battle of Plassey was fought between the forces of the Nawab of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah and the English East India Company, led by Robert Clive. It was fought on 23 June 1757 at Plassey near Murshidabad. A major portion of the 50,000 strong army of the Nawab was controlled by Mir Jafar who was hand in gloves with the British. His men did not join the battle at a crucial time. As a result, the Nawab’s men suffered heavy casualties and he himself left the battlefield after the death of his commander Mir Madan. This was a major blow to the Nawab’s army which was, as a result, easily defeated by the British. Later, the Nawab himself was caught and killed, and Mir Jafar was instituted as the new Nawab of Bengal.