Nawab of Bengal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nawab Nazim of Bengal and Orissa (1717–1880)a and Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad (1882–1971)b Nawabs of Bengal and Murshidabad
1717–1765
Motto: Nil Desperandum "There is no cause for despair, never despair"
Capital	Murshidabadc
Common languages	English Persian Bengali Hindi Urdu Arabic
Government	Nobility
Historical era	Mughal Empire British India
• Emergence of the Mughal Empire	1526
• Established	1717
• Battle of Plassey	23 June 1757
• Battle of Buxar	22 October 1764
• Abolition of the title of Nawab of Bengal	1880
• Abdication of Mansoor Ali Khan, the last Nawab of Bengal	1 November 1880
• Emergence of the Nawab of Murshidabad	17 February 1882
• Article 18 of the Indian Constitution abolishes titles, except those given by the Government of India to those who have made their mark in military and academic fields	26 January 1950
• Disestablished	1765
Population
• 1901	75 million
Preceded by Succeeded by Bengal Sultanate Delhi Sultanate Mughal Empire Company rule in India Bengal Presidency British Raj
Today part of	India  Bangladesh
This important title was officially ended in 1880. After India became independent in 1947, the new Indian Constitution was created in 1950. This constitution said that all special titles, like "Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad," were no longer allowed. The only exceptions were titles given for military or academic achievements. For a while, some nobles still received money and kept their titles through a policy called Privy Purse. But this policy was also stopped in 1971. So, the title of "Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad" was officially and legally abolished in 1971. Murshidabad was the main city and capital for both the Nawabs of Bengal and the later Nawabs of Murshidabad.

The Nawabs of Bengal were powerful rulers in the regions of Bengal and Odisha. From 1717 to 1772, they governed these areas. The title "Nawab" means a high-ranking ruler or governor.

The Last Independent Nawab

The last Nawab who ruled independently was Siraj ud-Daulah. He faced a big challenge from the British. In 1757, a major battle happened, called the Battle of Plassey. Sadly, Siraj ud-Daulah was betrayed by one of his own generals, Mir Jafar.

Because of this betrayal, Siraj ud-Daulah lost the battle to the British. After their victory, the British put Mir Jafar in charge as the new Nawab. This event marked the beginning of the British becoming a very strong political power in Bengal.

British Control and the End of the Nawabs

In 1765, the British introduced a system called 'dual government'. This meant the Nawabs were still technically in charge, but they actually ruled for the British. They became like puppets, doing what the British wanted.

By 1772, the British ended this dual government. They took direct control over Bengal. This meant the Nawabs no longer had any real power.

In 1793, even the Nawab's role as governor, called the Nizamat, was taken away. From then on, the Nawabs became like pensioners. They received money from the British East India Company but had no power.

The very last Nawab of Bengal was Mansur Ali Khan. He gave up his title on November 1, 1880. His eldest son, Hassan Ali Mirza, took over the family's position, but without the old ruling power.

Images for kids

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  A map of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa under British rule. This map shows the area once ruled by the Nawab of Bengal.

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  A sketch of the main caravanserai and mosque in Murshidabad, the capital city.

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  Ships of the Dutch East India Company in Chittagong harbor in the early 1700s.

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  Robert Clive meeting Mir Jafar during the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

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  Hazarduari Palace (meaning Palace of a Thousand Doors) was the home of the Nawabs of Murshidabad.