The Indian Empire Falls Apart
How did Mohammad Shah spend most of his time?
He spent most of his time going to animal fights.
Nadir Shah left Mohammad Shah on the throne. But what did he do to India?
He burned Delhi, had its people killed, took India's wealth, plundered the Taj Mahal, and even took thr Peacock Throne.
What did the ruler of Bengal, named Siraj, think when he saw the English building a fortress in Calcutta?
He began to grow suspicious and began thinking that the English wanted to take over Bengal.
Who decided to send an army to punish Siraj and the Indians in Bengal?
The East India Company hired it's own army to attack Siraj.
What happened to the last Moghul emperor?
The English took the emperor under their "protection" (he was their prisoner).
While Mohammad Shah was amusing himself, what were all the officials in India doing?
They were dividing up the land and ruling it for themselves.
Name two of the places in India where yhe Rbglish has trading posts.
They had trading posts in Surat, in Bombay, and in Bengal.
Who did Siraj ask for help? What did he offer them?
He asked the French for help, and he offered them land in India.
Who led the army of the East India Company?
A general named Sir Robert Clive led the army.
Instead Of an empire under one emperor, what had India become?
It had become a group of little provinces ruled by petty kings.
English merchants banded togather to form one big company. What was this company called?
East India Company
When Siraj's men captured the English fort, what did Siraj do with his prisoners?
He ordered them to be thrown into one small dungeon.
What message did Sir Robert Clive send to Mir Jafar, the chief general of Siraj?
He told Mir Jafar to hold his army back from the battle, and promised to reward Mir Jafar by making him the ruler of Bengal.
Which Persian ruler attacked India, using war camels and cannons?
Nadir Shah attacked India and took away much of its wealth.
Why did the English begin to worry about their trading trading posts and their merchants?
Hindu tribes from the south, Muslim rebels, and Persian invaders might attack them.
According to a survivor, John Howell, what happened to 120 of the prisoners?
He said that 120 of the prisoners died from suffocation.
After the battle. Mir Jafar became the nawab of Bengal. But what happened when Mir Jafar resisted the orders of East India Company?
Another army arrived and attacked him.
Why did Nadir Shah become angry with the court at Delhi?
He was insulted because no one sent a messenger back to him.
What did the English do to protect themselves?
They began to build forts in Bombay and Bengal.
What was the name given yo the dark, hot dungeon where the prisoners were kept?
It was called the Black Hole of Calcutta.
What laws did Bengal follow?
Bengal followed English laws and used English courts with English judges.