The Bengal Subah, from 1576 to 1793, was one of the Mughal Empire’s largest and most prosperous provinces—later evolving into Bengal State under the Nawabs. Its territorial extent included all of present-day Bangladesh, most of West Bengal, and sizable parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The Subah’s formation marked the end of the independent Bengal Sultanate; the region’s wealth, agricultural productivity, and strategic location made it a jewel in the Mughal crown. For centuries, Bengal was famed as the “Paradise of Nations” and entered a “Golden Age” distinguished by vibrant economic, cultural, and political achievements. Its huge population and flourishing industries, especially textile manufacturing and shipbuilding, placed Bengal at the forefront of global trade.
Under Mughal rule, Bengal’s administration was highly structured. Initially governed by imperial viceroys (Subahdars), many from the Mughal royal family, the region’s capitals shifted multiple times: Tanda, Akbarnagar, Jahangirnagar (now Dhaka), and finally Murshidabad. Akbar, through his comprehensive reforms, introduced a standardized subah administration that divided Bengal into numerous sarkars (districts) and parganas (sub-districts), optimizing revenue collection and governance. Notably, Mughal policies encouraged secular pluralism, especially under Emperor Akbar, although later rulers promoted stricter religious orthodoxy. Aristocratic landholders, or jagirdars, were responsible for tax collection, supporting an elaborate hierarchy of officials including judges (Qadis), military leaders (Mansabdars and Faujdars), and royal deputies (Naib Nazims).
Economically, Bengal was a powerhouse, boasting the largest regional economy in India and even rivaling contemporary European economies. Its fertile lands supported advanced agricultural reforms; vast forested areas in the delta were cleared to expand farmland, and innovations in crop cultivation—particularly mulberry for sericulture—transformed Bengal into a major silk producer. The region’s abundance of grain led to lower food prices and boosted its textile industries, allowing Bengali silks, muslin, and cotton to dominate both Indian and global markets. European trading companies—British, French, Dutch, Danish, and Austrian—set up dozens of factories and outposts, cementing Bengal’s status as a global trade hub. Dhaka and Chittagong became renowned commercial centers, facilitating international trade in textiles, steel, saltpeter, and agricultural products. Textile wages and productivity in Bengal were comparable to those in Britain, fueling proto-industrialization and early mechanized manufacturing.
The shipbuilding industry in Bengal was equally advanced; new hull designs innovated for local rice ships were later adopted by European shipbuilders, helping transform navigation and safety during the Industrial Revolution. The wealth amassed from Bengal by the British East India Company after military victories at Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764) significantly accelerated Britain’s own industrial development, while simultaneously causing deindustrialization in Bengal. Despite the colonial dominance, entrepreneurial Bengali manufacturers retained some economic edge even into the 19th century, though widespread deindustrialization and state-imposed price manipulation would gradually erode these advantages.
Politically, the province saw tumultuous changes. The early 18th century saw the emergence of hereditary Nawabs who ruled with increasing independence, even as their authority was nominally under Mughal sovereignty. These Nawabs based themselves in Murshidabad, from where they minted coins and governed like independent monarchs. Under their regime, Bengal’s proto-industrial economy thrived. However, invasions by the Marathas between 1741 and 1751 caused immense devastation—millions of Bengalis were killed, and the region’s textile industry was ravaged. The Nawabs, unable to repel the invaders indefinitely, negotiated tribute payments to the Marathas, further straining the province’s economy.
Bengal’s demographic landscape was rich and diverse. The majority population was Hindu, with Sunni Islam as the official religion and forming a significant minority. Mughal policies attracted migrants from Iran and Armenia who contributed to administration and trade, enhancing Bengal’s cosmopolitan culture. Before the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, the province had a population exceeding 30 million—one of the world’s most densely inhabited regions.
In the arts and architecture, Bengal experienced a cultural renaissance. Mughal and Bengali styles fused to create unique monuments—mosques with curved roofs, elaborate caravanserais, forts, and temples. The muslin weaving industry was renowned worldwide; Dhaka’s skilled craftsmen produced jamdani fabrics famed for their intricate floral and geometric designs. Artisans and artists thrived, with Murshidabad painting and scroll art reflecting provincial tastes. Rural and urban architectural innovations left an enduring legacy visible in major cities today.
Ultimately, the rise of British power redefined Bengal. The British East India Company, having defeated the Nawabs and secured revenue collection rights from the Mughal emperor, gradually annexed Bengal and its neighboring regions into the Bengal Presidency by 1793. Bengal’s administrative, judicial, and economic systems were reorganized, and European colonies (Dutch, French, Danish, Austrian) carved out small enclaves for themselves. British colonial rule, following the 1857 mutiny, replaced company authority with the direct administration of the British Crown. The transformations set in motion during Bengal’s Mughal and Nawab eras laid the foundation for shifts in trade, politics, society, and culture that shaped the region’s role in world history.