Clive and the Early East India Company

British Empire – Clive and the East India Company

In this course, we investigate the life and legacy of Robert Clive and the British East India Company’s role in shaping modern India, focusing on: (i) the early years of Clive’s career and the political context of the Mughal Empire at its peak, examining the British competition with the French East India Company and the shifting power dynamics in India during the 18th century; (ii) the rise of regional kingdoms in post-Mughal India, including Clive’s involvement in key battles like the Siege of Arcot and the Battle of Plassey, which helped consolidate British power; (iii) Clive’s role in the aftermath of British victory at the Battle of Buxar, his controversial reforms in Bengal, and the devastating famine that followed; (iv) Clive’s fluctuating popularity, his efforts to improve his image through the acquisition of estates, art, and titles, and the East India Company’s role in enhancing his public persona.

Clive and the Early East India Company

In this lecture, we explore the political landscape of 18th-century India, focusing on the rise of regional kingdoms and the role of the British East India Company, particularly the figure of Robert Clive, covering: (i) the fragmented political situation in India following the decline of the Mughal Empire, with the emergence of powerful regional kingdoms like Bengal, Hyderabad, Awadh, and the Marathas; (ii) the influence of the French and British East India Companies as they became embroiled in local dynastic struggles, offering military support to rival factions; (iii) Robert Clive’s involvement in these conflicts, including the Siege of Arcot and the Battle of Plassey, which marked his rise to military prominence and his role in the British East India Company's success in India; (iv) the consolidation of British power following their victory in the Battle of Baksar, and the challenges Clive faced in managing the newfound British control over vast territories, ultimately setting the stage for the British Empire’s expansion in India.