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Which of the following statements regarding consolidation of British power in 18th century Bengal is/are correct? 1. The Nawab granted the Company the Nizamat powers in 1765. 2. The duties of collecting revenues and administration of justice were entrusted with the European officials of the East India Company. Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Explanation
Following the Battle of Buxar (1764), the Treaty of Allahabad was signed in 1765. Under this arrangement, the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II granted the Company the Diwani rights (revenue collection) [c1, c5]. Simultaneously, the Nawab of Bengal practically transferred the Nizamat powers (civil administration, police, and judicial functions) to the Company [c2, c4]. This established the 'Dual System' of government. However, statement 2 is incorrect because the Company did not initially entrust revenue collection and justice to European officials. Instead, it appointed Indian representatives, such as Mohammad Reza Khan and Raja Shitab Rai, as deputy diwans to manage these functions [c3]. The Company exercised authority without direct administrative responsibility, leaving the actual work to Indian officials until Warren Hastings abolished the Dual System in 1772 [t1, c3].
Sources
- [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 5: Land Reforms > 5.1 Land Rights before Independence > p. 190
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 4: India on the Eve of British Conquest > Weak Rulers after Aurangzeb—An Internal Challenge > p. 63
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 5: Expansion and Consolidation of British Power in India > Dual Government in Bengal (1765-72) > p. 93
- [4] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 17: Effects of British Rule > 17.1Establishment of British Raj > p. 265
- [5] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 26: Constitutional, Administrative and Judicial Developments > Constitutional Development between 1773 and 1858 > p. 502