This treaty restored British trading rights in Bengal and set conditions that directly preceded the Battle of Plassey in 1757.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 9 February 1757
- Signatories
- Robert Clive and Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah
- Farman referenced
- Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar's farman of 1717
- Key British privilege
- All British goods exempt from duties in Bengal
- City name at signing
- Alinagar (renamed Calcutta by Nawab)
- Outcome for Nawab
- Defeated and killed at Battle of Plassey, 1757
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, had seized the British fort at Calcutta, renaming the city Alinagar. Facing a simultaneous threat from Afghan forces to his rear and renewed British military pressure under Robert Clive, the Nawab found himself unable to sustain conflict on multiple fronts, compelling him to negotiate.
On 9 February 1757, Robert Clive of the British East India Company and Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah signed the Treaty of Alinagar. The accord obliged the Nawab to honour the Mughal farman of 1717, exempting British goods from duties in Bengal, and permitted the British to fortify Calcutta and mint coins there.
The treaty temporarily restored British commercial and military privileges in Bengal. However, it did not produce lasting peace; later that year, Clive and his allies defeated and killed Siraj ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey, dramatically expanding British power in the subcontinent and weakening the independent authority of the Nawab of Bengal.
Political Outcome
The Nawab restored British trading privileges and permitted British fortification of Calcutta and minting of coins; British East India Company regained its pre-siege rights in Bengal.
Nawab held control of Calcutta after capturing British fort; British trading rights suspended
British rights restored under Mughal farman of 1717; British permitted to fortify Calcutta and mint coins