Battle of Plassey

Mobarak Ali, RK Mission Road, Gopibagh, Dhaka
Like millions of mothers, my mother also told me the tale of Siraj and his mother-wife-daughter in my boyhood, where Siraj was sketched as a hero and Clive as a villain. Siraj was defeated in the Battle of Plassey through a conspiracy. As a result, the English ruled this land for about 190 years. However, in the book 'Clive of India' by Nirad C. Chaudhuri published by Jaico Press Pvt. Ltd. in 1977, Siraj was depicted in the chapter 'Conquest of Bengal (1756-1759). I know that the talented and famous writers have the command over people's mind and they can chop the myth of or present things in their own way. I am mentioning a few lines: “Siraj was badly equipped, both intellectually and morally, to cope with the stratagem of the seasoned veterans, both Muslim and Hindu, most of whom were trying to gain upper hand in the affairs of the State and use him as a mere pawn in the game with a hand stretched towards the traders for a warm grasp.” Chapter: The Battle of Plassey and after, P-1,2.