Read the source below carefully to answer question (a). In 1756, the French encouraged the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, to attack the East India Company's base at Calcutta. He captured the city but was unable to keep control of it. Robert Clive decided to go to the city with a force of soldiers to re-take it. This led to the battle of Plassey.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2012). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] (a) Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed statement. Candidates might refer to:
2. 1757, French encouraged Siraj-ud-Daulah to attack EIC base at Calcutta. Captured city but couldn't keep hold of it, Clive arrived with EIC soldiers and bribed Jafar, one of Siraj's key men. Made him Nawab of Bengal as a reward for turning against Siraj who was defeated by Clive. Body found in a river after battle. As a result of battle, EIC controlled trade in Bengal, Clive made Governor of Bengal.
3. [1] (b) LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement It was Aurangzeb's successors that were to blame.
4. [2-4] (b) LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons Aurangzeb's successors were weak. There was no law of succession.
5. [5-7] (b) LEVEL 3: Explains reasons Aurangzeb's successors became lazy, weak and corrupt and left the administration to their ministers who often put their own interests first. There was no law of succession. Instead there was usually a struggle for succession which ended in war. Succession often depended upon the ability of the candidates and the support they could get. Fighting wars became expensive and the military was stretched and suffered much inefficiency. The successors failed to run the Empire effectively becoming very extravagant and so suffered from financial inefficiencies. The vastness of the Empire made it hard to defend and as such suffered several invasions. Eventually the British overran the Empire and were superior in such areas as military might.
6. [1-2] (c) LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement. It was the most important reason
7. [3-6] (c) LEVEL 2: Description /identification of reasons A new cartridge was introduced by the British which was folded in both cow and pig fat. The cartridge had to be unfolded by chewing with teeth before using them in the guns.
8. [7-10] (c) LEVEL 3: Explains the greased cartridge incident OR other reasons
9. [9-10] (c) LEVEL 4: Explains the greased cartridge incident AND other reasons A new cartridge was introduced by the British which was coated in both cow and pig fat. Because the soldiers had to chew the fat caused great resentment since pig fat was forbidden by the Muslims and the cow was a sacred animal in the eyes of the Hindus. However there were other reasons for the War. The replacement of Persian and Sanskrit by English as the official language in 1832 deeply upset both the Muslims and Hindus. In 1852 the 'Doctrine of Lapse' was introduced and caused great unrest because any local kingdom not having a direct male heir was taken over by the British. A number of social reforms had been imposed without consultation or care for local feeling which also caused unrest. Indians had to send their children to co-educational schools and were forced to abandon purdha.
10. [14] (c) LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation.