The correct answer is: Expansion of British power.
The Battle of Buxar was fought on October 22, 1764, near Buxar, Bihar, India, between the British East India Company and the combined forces of the Nawab of Awadh, the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, and the Rohilla Afghans. The battle was a decisive victory for the British, and it marked the beginning of the British Raj in India.
The battle was fought over control of the Ganges River valley, which was a strategically important region. The British were seeking to expand their territory and influence in India, while the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal emperor were trying to prevent the British from becoming too powerful. The Rohilla Afghans were mercenaries who were fighting for the Nawab of Awadh.
The battle was a bloody one, and both sides suffered heavy casualties. However, the British were ultimately victorious, and they were able to capture the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal emperor. This victory gave the British control of the Ganges River valley, and it marked the beginning of the British Raj in India.
The other options are incorrect because:
- The Maratha Empire was a Hindu empire that was founded in 1674 by Shivaji Maharaj. The Maratha Empire reached its peak under the rule of Bajirao I (1720-1740), and it declined after his death. The Maratha Empire was not involved in the Battle of Buxar.
- The Mughal Empire was a Muslim empire that was founded in 1526 by Babur. The Mughal Empire reached its peak under the rule of Akbar the Great (1556-1605), and it declined after his death. The Mughal Empire was involved in the Battle of Buxar, but it was defeated by the British.
- The French influence in India declined after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The Battle of Buxar was fought seven years after the Battle of Plassey, and it did not have a significant impact on the French influence in India.