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Robert Clive: Political, Economic Reform, and Architect of British Dominance in Colonial India 

Robert Clive #

Robert Clive: Rise to Power in India’s Colonial Era #

In 1743, Robert Clive (born in 1725) was hired by the East India Company as a clerk. Clive’s career experienced a significant boost thanks to the Siege of Arcot (1761) during the Second Carnatic War, and in 1755 Clive was appointed deputy governor of Fort St. David in Cuddalore. He presided over the British East India Company’s victories at the battles of Plassey (1757), Chinsura (1759), and Buxar (1764). When Clive arrived in Madras in June 1756, he soon got entangled in Bengali issues, which would later become tied to his fate. Bengal had previously been governed by viceroys of the titular Mughal emperor, and the British East India Company operated there under their protection. The main city, Calcutta, had surpassed Madras as an important trading hub, and its trade was worth the most money in all of India. Because of a disagreement with the British about reinforcing the city, Siraj al-Dawlah, the new nawab (Mughal viceroy) of Bengal, attacked and took control of the fort in 1756.

 

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  • Clive twice (1757-1760 & 1765-1767) held the position of governor of Bengal. 
  • Clive was renowned for his outstanding military techniques. His methods and concepts played a role in establishing EIC’s dominance in Bengal. 
  • Numerous monikers were used to refer to Clive, including Lord Clive, Baron of Plassey, Governor of the Bengal Presidency, and corrupt “nabob.”

 

Clive’s Reforms: Political, Economic, Civil, Military #

  • Political: The British acquired the Diwani privileges as part of the Bengal settlement. However, the Mughals were not robbed of the Nizamat. For this reason, the Mughals made a set payment.
  • Economic: Clive reduced the value of a currency that had gotten out of control. Robert Clive’s rule caused economic harm to the workers.
  • Civil:  Clive made a complete overhaul of the structure in the following ways to tackle the issue of corruption:
  • Tackling the issue of misuse of Dastaks: Clive observed the widespread corruption and bribery through the misuse of Dastaks. The agreement prohibiting accepting gifts and engaging in private trade was made the servants sign.
  • Scrapping Monopoly on Trade: Tobacco, salt, and betelnut trading rights and monopolies were granted to the society of trade where the company’s employees were given a share of the profits. This caused a surge in the price of necessary goods eventually scrapping it.
  • Military: Military officers at that time received field allowances. Later, the court of directors decided to lessen the double bhatta. Robert Clive afterwards started a reform that would pay field allowances to military officers who were serving outside the Bengal and Bihar border.

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Clive’s Victories: Plassey and Buxar Wars in India #

Wars About
Battle of Plassey
  • At the Battle of Plassey (1757), Robert Clive led the British army in combat with Siraj-Ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal, backed by French forces.
  • In exchange for his support of Bengal’s Nawab Mir Jafar on the throne, Clive was given a jagir of £30,000 (equal to £4,100,000 in 2020), which was the rent the EIC would have otherwise paid to the Nawab for a tax farming concession.
Battle of Buxar
  • The result was the treaty of Allahabad was signed by Lord Clive and Shah Alam II, the Mughal Emperor. 
  • The East India Company received Fiscal Rights (Diwani), or the right to manage the region and collect taxes, from the Mughal Emperor in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. 
  • As a result, the British took control of the destiny of the people of Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa, and they began to amass wealth.

 

Assessing Robert Clive: Impact and Criticisms in India #

Both of Robert Clive’s tenures saw the consolidation of the British position in India, which was possible due to able and organised leadership under Clive:

  • Many people in India have criticised Robert Clive for the barbaric hardships he inflicted on the country’s working class by imposing exorbitant taxes and requiring them to grow only cash crops, which led to famines.
  • Due to the large scale of the personal money Robert Clive amassed during his stay in India, he was held accountable in England upon his return.

Conclusion #

After the Battle of Plassey, the British gained absolute dominance, which helped them establish their rule and dominance in India. Thus, Robert Clive is also referred to as the “Conqueror of India” because Robert Clive was crucial in the establishment of the British Raj. When he departed India, he had a wealth of £180,000, which Robert Clive transferred through the Dutch East India Company and would be worth $24,700,000 in 2020. He asserted himself in Parliament (1773) with his customary force and conviction, lamenting the way he was being treated like a sheep thief and said, “I stand astonished at my own moderation.” The British Parliament proclaimed in 1773 that he had “rendered great and meritorious services to his country.”

ROBERT CLIVE FAQs #

Q1. Who was Robert Clive and what was his role in Indian history?

Ans. Robert Clive was a British military officer who played a prominent role in establishing British control over India.

Q2. What were the major achievements and contributions of Robert Clive during his time in India?

Ans. Clive’s major achievements include the Battle of Plassey and the acquisition of the Diwani rights, strengthening British influence in India.

Q3. What were the key events and battles associated with Robert Clive’s tenure in India?

Ans. Key events associated with Clive’s tenure include the Siege of Arcot, the Battle of Buxar, and the capture of major Indian cities.

Q4. How did Robert Clive’s actions impact the British East India Company’s influence in India?

Ans. Clive’s actions expanded the British East India Company’s power in India, laying the foundation for British colonial rule.

Q5. What controversies or criticisms surround Robert Clive and his actions during his time in India?

Ans. Clive faced criticisms for alleged corruption and his role in the Bengal famine, which led to debates and investigations.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
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हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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