In the 18th century, after the death of Aurangzeb, the Bengal nawabs asserted their
power and autonomy. Through the eighteenth century, the conflicts between them
and the East India Company intensified. The nawabs refused to grant the Company
concessions, demanded large tributes, denied it the right to mint coins, and stopped
it from extending its fortifications. They claimed that the Company was depriving
the Bengal government of huge amounts of revenue, and also undermining their
authority by refusing to pay taxes, writing disrespectful letters, and humiliating
them and their officials.
On the other hand, the Company declared that its trade was getting ruined because
of the unjust demands of the local officials. It believed that trade could only
flourish if the duties were removed. To expand trade•