In which battle was Nawab Siraj ud Daulah defeated by the forces of Robert Clive of the British East India Company, opening the way for British rule in Bengal?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about a turning point in Indian history that allowed the British East India Company to gain political control over Bengal. Nawab Siraj ud Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal, fought against British forces led by Robert Clive. His defeat in this battle laid the foundation for British dominance in eastern India and later in the whole subcontinent.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The Indian ruler mentioned is Nawab Siraj ud Daulah of Bengal.
- The British commander is Robert Clive of the East India Company.
- The question asks in which battle Siraj ud Daulah was defeated by Clive.
- The options list several battles Plassey, Buxar, Panipat, Haldighati and Wandiwash.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is to connect Siraj ud Daulah with the correct eighteenth century battle. Siraj ud Daulah was defeated at the Battle of Plassey in 1757. This battle took place near the village of Palashi in Bengal. The British victory resulted partly from treachery by Mir Jafar and other commanders who did not fully support the Nawab. While the Battle of Buxar involved later rulers and also strengthened British power, the direct defeat of Siraj ud Daulah by Clive happened at Plassey.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Siraj ud Daulah was Nawab of Bengal at the time of the Battle of Plassey in 1757.Step 2: Remember that Robert Clive led the British East India Company army in that battle.Step 3: Understand that Mir Jafar conspired with the British, leading to the Nawabs defeat.Step 4: Observe that the Battle of Buxar in 1764 involved a coalition of Indian rulers and came later, not as the confrontation where Siraj himself was defeated.Step 5: From the given options, choose Battle of Plassey as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by thinking of standard exam pairs. The pair Siraj ud Daulah Plassey is as common as the pair Buxar combined forces of Awadh, Bengal and the Mughal Emperor. Panipat is associated with Afghan and Maratha conflicts, Haldighati with Akbar and Maharana Pratap, and Wandiwash with Anglo French rivalry in the Carnatic region. None of those involve Siraj ud Daulah directly, which reinforces Plassey as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Battle of Buxar: Very important for British supremacy, but Siraj ud Daulah had already lost power by then and was not the main opponent.
- Battle of Panipat: Refers to several battles in north India between various Indian and foreign powers, not involving Siraj ud Daulah and Clive together.
- Battle of Haldighati: Fought between Akbars forces and those of Maharana Pratap of Mewar, long before the time of Siraj ud Daulah.
- Battle of Wandiwash: An important Anglo French battle in the Carnatic region, not related to Bengal or Siraj ud Daulah.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students mix up Plassey and Buxar because both are pivotal for British expansion. The rule of thumb is that Plassey is linked with Siraj ud Daulah and the beginning of British political control, whereas Buxar is linked with a wider coalition and the establishment of broader supremacy. Keeping these associations distinct prevents confusion.

Final Answer:
Nawab Siraj ud Daulah was defeated by the forces of Robert Clive in the Battle of Plassey.