Robert Clive

Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774), commonly known as Clive of India, was a British officer and private merchant who established the military and political supremacy of the East India Company in Bengal. He is considered one of the key figures in the expansion of the British Empire in India during the 18th century. Clive's victories, most notably at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, led to the company's control over Bengal and the surrounding regions, marking the beginning of British colonial rule in India. Clive's actions, however, were also marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and the use of brutal tactics. In Hebrew, he is known as רוברט קלייב, and in Hindi as रॉबर्ट क्लाइव. Clive's legacy remains a subject of debate, with some viewing him as a brilliant military strategist and others criticizing his methods and the long-term impact of British colonialism in India.

Wikipedia Information

Robert Clive

British military officer (1725–1774)

Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive,, also known as Clive of India, was the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency. Clive has been widely credited for laying the foundation of the British East India Company (EIC) rule in Bengal. He began as a "writer" for the EIC in 1744, however after being caught up in military action during the fall of Madras, Clive joined the EIC's private army. Clive rapidly rose through the military ranks of the EIC and was eventually credited with establishing Company rule in Bengal by winning the Battle of Plassey in 1757. In return for supporting the Nawab Mir Jafar as ruler of Bengal, Clive was guaranteed a jagir of £90,000 per year, which was the rent the EIC would otherwise pay to the Nawab for their tax-farming concession. When Clive left India in January 1767 he had a fortune of £401,102 which he remitted through the Dutch East India Company.

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