CONQUEST OF BENGAL
During the reign of Muhammad Shah Rangila, Alivardi Khan, the governor of Bengal, declared his independence (in 1741) and made Murshidabad his capital. He died in 1756 and was succeeded by his grandson, Mirza Mohammad, better known as Siraj-ud-daula. As soon as he ascended the throne, a quarrel arose between him and the English over the fortification of - Fort William by the English and their part in political inhigues. Finding his authority in danger, Siraj-ud-daula launched an offensive against the English. The Fort was besieged on June 15, 1756, and the Nawab captured and placed it under the charge of Manik Chanq. Mention may be made here of the much propagated 'Black Hole Tragedy'. Siraj-ud-daula is believed to nave imprisoned 146 English persons who were lodged in a very tiny room due to which 123 of them died of suffocation. However, historians either do not believe it, or say that the
number of victims must have been much smaller.
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