Indian troops are led into battle by a British Officer in this illustration. The battalion had been raised in 1757, the year of the battle, so were not yet clothed in the red uniforms that gave it the name Laul-Paltan in 1765. The army of 3,000 men was led by Robert Clive, against the Nawab, Siraj-Ud-Daulah who commanded almost 70,000 men. The Nawab had captured Fort William in Calcutta but the British recaptured Calcutta and confronted his army in the spring of 1757. The two armies met near the village of Palashi (Plassey) on 23 June. But the Nawab’s cavalry was commanded by Mir Jafar who had been made an offer by the British, to replace the Nawab if the battle was a victory for Clive. Mir Jafar deserted the Nawab, taking his cavalry with him. The enemy became disheartened and easily routed by Clive’s smaller army.
Regimental Details
