The Battle of Buxar on October 22, 1764, in Buxar, Bengal, witnessed the British East India Company, led by Hector Munro, confronting a united coalition of Indian rulers including Shujaud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh; Mir Qasim, the Nawab of Bengal; and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. This pivotal encounter was precipitated by a convergence of significant factors:

Convergence of Factors Leading to the Battle of Buxar:

• Dethroning of Mir Jafar and Rise of Mir Qasim: After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British installed Mir Jafar as the Nawab of Bengal. In 1760, due to conflicts between Mir Jafar and the British, he was replaced by his son-in-law, Mir Qasim.
• Mir Qasim’s Reforms and Challenge to British Dominance: As Nawab of Bengal, Mir Qasim’s reforms, highlighted by relocating his capital from Murshidabad to Munger (Bihar) in 1762, aimed to diminish British influence and regain control over revenue. These actions fueled tensions with the British, intensifying conflict due to his resolute pursuit of autonomy and defiance against their dominance.
• Abolition of Internal Trade Duties: Mir Qasim’s decision to eliminate internal customs duties, a response to British misinterpretation of the 1717 Farman, aimed to restore benefits to his subjects that the British had taken. This policy change heightened disagreements.
• Economic Interests and Escalating Conflicts: The British East India Company’s profit-driven exploitation of Indian territories triggered local resentment and economic strain. Their control over trade routes heightened tensions, evident in incidents like the misuse of “dastak” permits and gaining trade rights without honoring dues. This strained relationship extended to the Nawab of Bengal, further intensifying hostilities.
  • Furthermore, the British’s vigorous objections to Mir Qasim’s initiatives, such as his endeavors to establish fairness for local entities, were firmly tied to their pursuit of trade privileges. These protests openly unveiled the British economic motive to safeguard their advantageous stance. This forceful demand played a critical role in notably amplifying the conflicts.
• Escalation of Conflict and British Victories: The disputes over transit duties escalated into armed confrontations between Mir Qasim and the British in 1763. This marked a pivotal shift in their interactions and set the stage for conflicts that culminated in a series of British victories at key locations including Katwa, Murshidabad, Giria, Sooty, and Munger.
• Mir Qasim’s Strategic Response and Coalition Formation: Unable to withstand British forces, Mir Qasim sought refuge in Oudh (Awadh) and formed an alliance with Shuja-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Awadh, and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor, who had been dethroned and was a puppet ruler in the hands of the British. This strategic move aimed to challenge British supremacy and regain control over Bengal, contributing to the larger geopolitical context leading to the Battle of Buxar.

The Battle of Buxar’s complex interplay of historical factors, including political turmoil, economic ambitions, and cross-cultural rivalries, reshaped colonial India’s political and economic landscape, consolidating British control over territories and resources, while also marking a pivotal shift towards British political administration.