Palassy facts for kids

Plassey is a small village in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also known by its Bengali name, Palashi. This village is very famous in history because a major battle happened here a long time ago. This battle changed the future of India and the way it was ruled.

What is Plassey?

Plassey is located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River. This river is a branch of the mighty Ganges River. Today, Plassey is a quiet village, but it holds a very important place in the history books. It is in the Nadia district of West Bengal.

The Famous Battle of Plassey

The Battle of Plassey was a very important event in Indian history. It took place on June 23, 1757. This battle was fought between the British East India Company and the Nawab of Bengal. A "Nawab" was a ruler, like a king, in a part of India.

Who Fought in the Battle?

On one side was the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive. This company was a powerful trading group from Britain. They had their own army. On the other side was Siraj-ud-Daulah, who was the young Nawab of Bengal. He had a much larger army.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The British East India Company wanted more control over trade in Bengal. They also wanted to make more money. Siraj-ud-Daulah did not like the growing power of the British. He felt they were disrespecting his rule. There were many arguments and disagreements between them. The Nawab even attacked a British trading post in Calcutta, which made the British very angry.

What Happened During the Battle?

Even though the Nawab had more soldiers, the British won the battle. This happened because of a secret plan. Mir Jafar, one of the Nawab's own generals, betrayed him. Mir Jafar secretly agreed to help the British. In return, he hoped to become the new Nawab of Bengal. During the battle, many of the Nawab's soldiers did not fight properly because of this betrayal. This made it easy for the smaller British army to win.

What Were the Results of the Battle?

The Battle of Plassey was a huge victory for the British East India Company. It marked the beginning of British rule in India. After this battle, the British slowly gained more and more control over different parts of India. Mir Jafar became the new Nawab, but he was mostly controlled by the British. This battle is seen as the start of nearly 200 years of British power in India.

Why is Plassey Important Today?

Plassey remains important because it reminds us of a major turning point in history. It shows how a small trading company became a powerful ruler. The battle led to big changes in India's politics and economy. It is a key event studied in history classes around the world.