In the context of the eighteenth century history of eastern India, which Nawab of Bengal ceded a portion of Orissa to the Marathas after repeated Maratha incursions?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the relations between the Nawabs of Bengal and the Marathas in the eighteenth century. The Maratha incursions into Bengal, known as the Maratha raids or Bargi invasions, forced the Nawab to make political and territorial concessions. One such concession involved ceding a part of Orissa to the Marathas. Knowing which Nawab of Bengal agreed to this cession helps you understand the shifting balance of power in eastern India before the rise of British dominance.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question is about a ruler of Bengal, specifically a Nawab.
- It asks which Nawab gave a portion of Orissa to the Marathas.
- The options list several prominent Bengal rulers and some other contemporary figures.
- We assume that the context is the mid eighteenth century period of Maratha raids into Bengal and Orissa.

Concept / Approach:
After the decline of Mughal central authority, regional powers like the Marathas expanded their influence. The Marathas repeatedly raided Bengal under leaders such as Raghoji Bhonsle. Alivardi Khan, the Nawab of Bengal, faced these incursions for years. To secure some peace, he eventually agreed to cede parts of Orissa to the Marathas around the early 1750s. The approach to solving the question is to recall which Nawab confronted constant Maratha raids and then identify the ruler who signed an agreement giving Orissa territory to them. Shaista Khan and Murshid Quli Khan belong to earlier phases of Mughal and provincial administration, while Siraj ud Daula ruled later and is mainly associated with the Battle of Plassey.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the question belongs to the era of Maratha incursions into Bengal, particularly the Bargi raids. Step 2: Recall that Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal who ruled from the late 1730s to the mid 1750s and spent much of his reign resisting Maratha raids. Step 3: Remember that after prolonged conflict, a settlement was reached in which Alivardi Khan ceded parts of Orissa to the Marathas. Step 4: Note that Shaista Khan and Murshid Quli Khan belong to earlier periods and are not related to this territorial cession to the Marathas. Step 5: Understand that Siraj ud Daula, a later Nawab, is linked mainly to conflicts with the British, not with territorial concessions to the Marathas.

Verification / Alternative check:
A helpful way to verify is to place each Nawab in a simple timeline: Murshid Quli Khan as the founder of the autonomous Bengal Nawabship, followed by Alivardi Khan, and then Siraj ud Daula. The period of intense Maratha raids on Bengal falls in the time of Alivardi Khan. History references clearly mention that he signed a treaty with Raghoji Bhonsle in which Orissa was ceded to the Marathas. No such act is attributed to Shaista Khan or Murshid Quli Khan, confirming that Alivardi Khan is the correct ruler.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shaista Khan: A Mughal governor and general associated with Aurangzebs time, not with the mid eighteenth century Nawabship and Maratha raids.
Murshid Quli Khan: The first important Nawab of Bengal who shifted the capital to Murshidabad, not the one who ceded Orissa to the Marathas.
Siraj ud Daula: Best known for the Battle of Plassey and conflict with the British East India Company, not for ceding Orissa to the Marathas.
Shuja ud Daula: Nawab of Oudh, not a Nawab of Bengal, and not connected to this particular territorial concession.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Murshid Quli Khan and Alivardi Khan because both were Nawabs of Bengal in the eighteenth century. Others may pick Siraj ud Daula simply because he is the most famous name among Bengal Nawabs due to British involvement. Another pitfall is forgetting that Shuja ud Daula was Nawab of Oudh, not Bengal. Maintaining a clear chronological and regional picture of these rulers helps avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
The Nawab of Bengal who ceded a portion of Orissa to the Marathas was Alivardi Khan.