Bengal Presidency

Quick Facts: Who was Bengal Presidency?

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Bengal Presidency

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The vast administrative unit governing much of South Asia under British rule.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Bengal Presidency, officially the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal until 1937, later the Bengal Province, was the largest of all three presidencies of British India during Company rule and later a province of British Raj. At the height of its territorial jurisdiction, it covered large parts of what is now South Asia and Southeast Asia. Bengal proper covered the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal (present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal). Calcutta, the city which grew around Fort William, was the capital of the Bengal Presidency. For many years, the governor of Bengal was concurrently the governor-general of India and Calcutta was the capital of India until 1911.

Career & Major Achievements

The Bengal Presidency emerged from trading posts established in the Bengal Subah of Mughal Empire, during the reign of Emperor Jahangir in 1612. The East India Company (EIC), a British Indian monopoly with a royal charter, competed with other European companies to gain influence in Bengal. In 1757 and 1764, the company defeated the Nawab of Bengal, who acted on Mughal sovereignty, at the Battle of Plassey and the Battle of Buxar, and Bengal came under British influence. In 1765, Emperor Shah Alam II granted revenue rights over Bengal to the company and the judicial rights in 1793. After this, the Bengal province was later merged with the Presidency of Fort William but under the suzerainty of the Emperor until 1835.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1836, the upper territories of the Bengal Presidency were organised into the Agra Division or North-Western Provinces and administered by a lieutenant-governor within the Presidency. The lower territories were organised into the Bengal Division and put in charge of lieutenant-governor as well in 1853. The office of the governor of the Presidency was abolished and the Presidency existed as only a nominal entity under the dual government of the two lieutenant-governors at Agra and Calcutta. The 1887, the Agra Division was separated from the Presidency and merged with the Oudh province, ending the dual government. In 1912, the governor was restored.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1612: 1612 Milestone — The Bengal Presidency emerged from trading posts established in the Bengal Subah of Mughal Empire, during the reign of Emperor Jahangir in 1612.
2. 1757: 1757 Milestone — In 1757 and 1764, the company defeated the Nawab of Bengal, who acted on Mughal sovereignty, at the Battle of Plassey and the Battle of Buxar, and Bengal came under British influence.
3. 1765: 1765 Milestone — In 1765, Emperor Shah Alam II granted revenue rights over Bengal to the company and the judicial rights in 1793.
4. 1835: 1835 Milestone — After this, the Bengal province was later merged with the Presidency of Fort William but under the suzerainty of the Emperor until 1835.
5. 1836: 1836 Milestone — In 1836, the upper territories of the Bengal Presidency were organised into the Agra Division or North-Western Provinces and administered by a lieutenant-governor within the Presidency.
6. 1853: 1853 Milestone — The lower territories were organised into the Bengal Division and put in charge of lieutenant-governor as well in 1853.
7. 1887: 1887 Milestone — The 1887, the Agra Division was separated from the Presidency and merged with the Oudh province, ending the dual government.
8. 1911: 1911 Milestone — For many years, the governor of Bengal was concurrently the governor-general of India and Calcutta was the capital of India until 1911.
9. 1912: 1912 Milestone — In 1912, the governor was restored.
10. 1937: 1937 Milestone — The Bengal Presidency, officially the Presidency of Fort William in Bengal until 1937, later the Bengal Province, was the largest of all three presidencies of British India during Company rule and later a province of British Raj.

Notable Quotes by Bengal Presidency

“"a state in the guise of a merchant"”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bengal Presidency

True or False: “The Bengal Presidency was never directly governed by the East India Company after 1765.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): After 1765, Emperor Shah Alam II granted revenue and judicial rights over Bengal to the company, placing it under significant British influence.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bengal Presidency