Robert Clive
Sign in to saveBritish military officer and East India Company official (1725-1774)
AI overview
Robert Clive was a British military officer and official of the East India Company who played a major role in establishing British colonial control over India during the 18th century. He matters historically because his military victories and administrative decisions fundamentally shaped India's political future and laid the groundwork for British imperial rule in the region.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774), 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" (the term used then in India for an office clerk) 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 (equivalent to £9,300,000 in 2025) 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 (equivalent to £59,600,000 in 2023) which he remitted through the Dutch East India Company.
Gallery (12)
Connections
Categories
1725 births1774 deaths18th-century suicidesAdministrators in British IndiaBarons in the Peerage of IrelandBritish Commanders-in-Chief of IndiaBritish East India Company Army officersBritish fellows of the Royal SocietyBritish governors of BengalBritish military personnel who died by suicideBritish MPs 1754–1761British MPs 1761–1768