Seven Years' War: Battle of Plassey

June 23, 1757 - 4,400 soldiers of the British East India Company defeat 50,000 men under Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah of Bengal at the Battle of Plassey. Fought during the Seven Years' War, the Nawab was assisted by the French and had some French troops with his army. Conflict with the Nawab began in 1756, when his troops captured Fort William and Calcutta, and was welcomed by the Company which sought to expand their power in India

To recapture Calcutta, the Company sent Colonel Robert Clive (left) and Admiral Charles Watson north from Madras. After a brief campaign they reoccupied the city on January 2, 1757. Seeking an advantage, Clive was able to talk Mir Jafar, Siraj Ud Daulah's military commander, into switching sides during the next battle in exchange for the nawabship. On June 23 the two armies met near Palashi. The Nawab opened the battle with an ineffective cannonade which ceased around noon when heavy rains fell on the battlefield. The Company troops covered their cannon and muskets, while the Nawab's and French did not. When the storm cleared, the Clive ordered an attack. With their muskets useless due to wet powder, and with Mir Jafar's divisions unwilling to fight, the Nawab's remaining troops were forced to retreat. Clive's army suffered a mere 22 killed and 50 wounded as opposed to over 500 for the Nawab. The victory at Plassey drove the French from Bengal and opened the door for the ultimate British conquest of India.

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