Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
A
Battle of Buxar - Mir Jafar vs. Clive
B
Battle of Wandiwash - French vs. East India Company
C
Battle of Chilianwala - Dalhousie vs. Marathas
D
Battle of Kharda - Nizam vs. East India Company
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
1. The question asks to identify the correctly matched pair regarding historical battles.
2. Pair A: Battle of Buxar (1764) saw the British East India Company (led by Hector Munro) defeat the combined forces of Mir Qasim (Nawab of Bengal), Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh), and Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor). Mir Jafar was made Nawab *by* the British before and after Mir Qasim, but wasn't the opposing commander. Clive was associated with Plassey (1757), not Buxar. Incorrectly matched.
3. Pair B: Battle of Wandiwash (1760) was a decisive battle in the Third Carnatic War where the British East India Company defeated the French East India Company, effectively ending French ambitions in South India. Correctly matched.
4. Pair C: Battle of Chillianwala (1849) was part of the Second Anglo-Sikh War between the British EIC and the Sikh Empire. Dalhousie was the Governor-General, but the opponent was the Sikhs, not the Marathas. Incorrectly matched.
5. Pair D: Battle of Kharda (1795) was fought between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The East India Company was not a primary belligerent. Incorrectly matched.