The Bengal Nawabs' Art of War: Elephants, Artillery, and Empire

This episode explores the military innovations of Bengal's independent Nawabs, particularly Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan, and Siraj-ud-Daulah, who modernized their armies with Mughal-style matchlocks, heavy artillery, and war elephants. We discuss how the Nawabs built arsenals at Murshidabad, recruited Afghan and Mughal troopers, and deployed rocket brigades decades before Tipu Sultan. The conversation also covers the training and logistics of elephant corps, the role of European mercenaries like French artilleryman Jean Law, and the fateful battle of Plassey where these forces were betrayed. We touch on the later neglect of military infrastructure under Company rule, as exemplified by the rusting cannons at Katra Masjid. The episode ties together threads from earlier shows on Plassey, Murshidabad, and Siraj-ud-Daulah, offering a focused look at the material culture of warfare in 18th-century Bengal. #BengalNawabs #MurshidQuliKhan #AlivardiKhan #SirajUdDaulah #WarElephants #MughalArtillery #Matchlock #Plassey #Murshidabad #JeanLaw #RocketBrigade #KatraMasjid #18thCenturyWarfare #MilitaryHistory #SouthAsianHistory #IndianHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo