Robert Clive (1725–1774) was a British military officer and key architect of British rule in India. He played a crucial role in establishing British dominance through his victories in Bengal.
1. Early Life and Entry into India
✔ Born: 29 September 1725, England
✔ Joined the British East India Company (EIC) in 1744 as a clerk.
✔ First arrived in India in 1744, stationed at Madras (Chennai).
2. Military Achievements in India
First Carnatic War (1746–1748)
✔ British and French were rivals in India.
✔ 1746 – French (led by Dupleix) captured Madras.
✔ 1748 – Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle – Madras was returned to the British.
Second Carnatic War (1749–1754)
✔ Clive successfully defended Arcot (1751) against the French-backed Nawab of Carnatic.
✔ Increased British influence in Southern India.
Battle of Plassey (1757) – Turning Point
✔ Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah, opposed British expansion.
✔ British supported Mir Jafar, a rival of Siraj.
✔ Clive bribed Mir Jafar, leading to British victory.
✔ British gained control over Bengal, marking the start of British political rule in India.
3. Governor of Bengal
✔ Clive became Governor of Bengal (1757–1760).
✔ Introduced Dual System of Governance (1765) – British controlled revenue, while local Nawabs handled administration.
✔ Reformed the British army in India.
4. Battle of Buxar (1764)
✔ The battle was fought between the British, led by Major Hector Munro. It included a combined force of Shah Alam II (Mughal Emperor), Mir Qasim (Bengal Nawab), and Shuja-ud-Daulah (Awadh Nawab).
✔ British victory led to the Treaty of Allahabad (1765).
✔ British got Diwani Rights (tax collection) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, strengthening their control.
5. Later Life and Death
✔ Clive returned to England in 1767.
✔ Accused of corruption but later acquitted.
✔ Died in 1774, possibly by suicide.
6. Contributions of Robert Clive
✔ Established British dominance in Bengal.
✔ Introduced Dual Administration (1765) – British collected revenue while Nawabs ruled.
✔ Strengthened the British army and administration in India.
✔ Laid the foundation for British expansion across India.
7. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which battle marked the beginning of British rule in India?
- (a) Battle of Buxar
- (b) Battle of Plassey
- (c) Third Carnatic War
- (d) Battle of Arcot
- Answer: (b) Battle of Plassey
- Who was the Nawab of Bengal during the Battle of Plassey (1757)?
- (a) Mir Jafar
- (b) Mir Qasim
- (c) Siraj-ud-Daulah
- (d) Shuja-ud-Daulah
- Answer: (c) Siraj-ud-Daulah
- The Treaty of Allahabad (1765) granted the British which right?
- (a) Military control over India
- (b) Tax collection (Diwani Rights) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa
- (c) Trade monopoly in India
- (d) Complete rule over India
- Answer: (b) Tax collection (Diwani Rights) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa
- Who introduced the Dual System of Governance in Bengal?
- (a) Warren Hastings
- (b) Robert Clive
- (c) Lord Cornwallis
- (d) Lord Dalhousie
- Answer: (b) Robert Clive
- Which of the following statements is true about Robert Clive?
- (a) He was the first Governor-General of India
- (b) He helped establish British rule in Bengal
- (c) He led the British in the First Anglo-Maratha War
- (d) He defeated the British in the Battle of Buxar
- Answer: (b) He helped establish British rule in Bengal
8. Subjective Questions
- Explain the significance of the Battle of Plassey (1757) in British expansion in India.
- Discuss Robert Clive’s role in the establishment of British rule in Bengal.
- How did the Battle of Buxar (1764) consolidate British control over India?
- What were the impacts of the Dual System of Governance introduced by Clive?
- Analyze the reasons for Robert Clive’s success in India.
Robert Clive’s victories at Plassey and Buxar were crucial in establishing British supremacy in India. His policies shaped British colonial rule, making him a key figure in India’s history. Let me know if you need mind maps or revision charts! 🚀