On 12th August 1765, the Mughal Emperor granted the East India Company the status of the Diwan of Bengal.

The real ceremony likely took place in Robert Clive’s tent with a few attendees. However, a painting depicts this event as a grand affair, pointing towards how the British envisioned and portrayed this moment.

Robert Clive commissioned this painting to commemorate significant events in his life, underlining the importance of this appointment in British colonial history.

Responsibilities Of The Diwan

With the title of Diwan, the EIC became the primary financial administrator of Bengal.

The EIC’s responsibilities grew manifold; they had to manage the land, organise its revenue resources to fund the company’s operations, and maintain their trading activities.

They realised the challenges posed by being a foreign authority. The EIC needed to manage and placate the pre-existing rulers, powerful elites, and influential figures of the region, understanding that it could control but not completely abolish their influence.