Which of the following battles is widely regarded as having established the political supremacy of the British East India Company in India?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of the key battles that allowed the British East India Company to become the dominant political power in India. While several famous battles were fought in the eighteenth century, one particular battle is generally regarded as the decisive event that confirmed British supremacy in northern India and gave the Company control over important revenue sources.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The focus is on the British East India Company and its political supremacy in India.
- Several battles are listed, including Plassey, Buxar, a Mysore war, Samugarh and Panipat.
- The task is to identify which battle established British supremacy, not just initial influence.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to distinguish between the starting point of British political influence and the battle that firmly established their supremacy. The Battle of Plassey in 1757 gave the Company control over Bengal through a combination of military action and betrayal by Mir Jafar. However, the Battle of Buxar in 1764 was more decisive. At Buxar, the Company army defeated the combined forces of the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor. This victory led to the grant of Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, which meant control over revenue and administration. Therefore, Buxar is the battle that truly established British supremacy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Plassey in 1757 marked the beginning of British political power in Bengal but did not yet give them full control over large territories.Step 2: Remember that in 1764 the British fought at Buxar against a coalition of Indian powers and won a decisive victory.Step 3: Understand that after Buxar, the Company secured Diwani rights, allowing it to collect revenue and run administration in major provinces.Step 4: Compare this deep structural change with the outcomes of the other battles listed.Step 5: Conclude that the Battle of Buxar is best described as establishing British political supremacy in India.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by looking at how history books summarise the two battles. Plassey is usually called the starting point or a turning point, whereas Buxar is often described as the battle that consolidated British power and placed the Mughal Emperor and major nawabs in a subordinate position. Questions that specifically use the term political supremacy almost always expect Buxar rather than Plassey.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- The Battle of Plassey, 1757: Very important as a first major victory, but it was Buxar that truly established wide ranging supremacy.
- The Third Mysore War: This was part of the long struggle against Mysore in south India and came later; it did not mark the first establishment of supremacy in the whole of India.
- The Battle of Samugarh: This was a battle of succession during the Mughal period and had no direct link to British supremacy.
- The Battle of Panipat, 1761: This battle involved the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali and weakened Indian powers but did not directly create British supremacy.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates pick Plassey because it is more famous and easier to remember. The exam setters often exploit this by asking specifically about the battle that established supremacy rather than the one that first gave foothold. The correct strategy is to link Plassey with entry and Buxar with confirmed supremacy and revenue control.

Final Answer:
The battle that is widely regarded as having established the political supremacy of the British East India Company in India is the Battle of Buxar, 1764.