Treaty of Allahabad 1765, Background and History

Treaty of Allahabad 1765- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 1: Indian History- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

Treaty of Allahabad 1765- Background

• Treaty of Allahabad 1765 was an outcome of the Battle of Buxar 1764 fought between the combined forces of the Mughal emperor, Nawab of Awadh and Bengal and the British East India Company (EIC).
• A combined army of 40,000 belonging to Mughals, Awadh, and Mir Qasim was brutally defeated by the British Army comprising of 10,000 men.
• Indian side lost the battle of Buxar on October 22, 1764.
• Mir Qasim absconded from the battle and the other two surrendered to the English army.
• The British EIC forced a humiliating Treaty of Allahabad on Mughal Emperor and Nawab of Oudh in 1765.

Treaty of Allahabad 1765- Key Points

• After the victory in the Battle of Buxar in 1764, Robert Clive signed two separate treaties, one with Shuja-Ud-Daulah (Nawab of Oudh), and one with Shah Aam-II (Mughal Emperor) in Allahabad in 1765.
• On 12 August 1765, the British forced the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II to sign the Treaty of Allahabad.
• The Mughal Emperor signed away the right to collect taxes (Diwani rights) from Bengal, Bihar and Orissa to the British.
• Key Terms of Allahabad Treaty are mentioned below-

Battle of Buxar 1764

Treaty of Allahabad 1765- Treaty between Nawab of Awadh and EIC

• Surrender of Allahabad: Robert Clive made Shuja-Ud-Daulah surrender Allahabad and Kara to Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor).
• War Indemnity Clause: Clive blamed Nawab and his allies for the war and imposed a war indemnity of 50 lakh that Nawab had to pay to the British East India Company (EIC).
• Snatching Nawab’s estate: Robert Clive forced Nawab to hand over complete control of his property to Balwant Singh (Zamindar of Banaras).

Battle of Plassey 1757: Background, Causes and Impact on Indian Polity and Economy

Treaty of Allahabad 1765- Treaty between Mughal Emperor and EIC

• The Company made Shah Alam II abandon Delhi and forced him to live in Allahabad (surrendered by Shuja-Ud-Daulah under the Treaty of Allahabad) under the East India Company’s protection.
• Granted Diwani Rights: Company forced the emperor to issue a ‘Farman’ granting the East India Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa in lieu of an annual payment of Rs 26 lakh.
• Nizamat Functions: The company charged Mughal Emperor an amount of Rs 53 lakh was in return for its nizamat functions (military defence, police, and administration of justice) of the Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa provinces.

Battle of Buxar 1764

Sharing is caring!