The Anglo-Mughal War or Child’s War in the late 17th century occurred between the British East India Company and the Mughal Empire in India. After trade negotiations between the two ended poorly, the Company blockaded the western Indian coast and captured Mughal trading ships. However, the conflict came to an embarrassing end for the British, who were forced to pay the Mughals millions of dollars in restitution and apologize for their disrespect and conduct. In Sen’s work, the Mughal empire is referenced at the beginning of her history, as she describes her generational relation to Maharaja Pratapaditya. He was a powerful regional landowner who fought against Mughal annexation of Bengal until his death planning another attack against the Mughal empire. Some decades later, the Anglo Mughal War would occur, but this historical background demonstrates Sen’s high class heritage and positioning within India society.
Sources:
Eaton, Richard M. The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760. Berkeley: University of California Press, c1993 1993. http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft067n99v9/
Hunt, Margaret, and Philip Stern. The English East India Company at the Height of Mughal Expansion. Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2015.