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Clive at Plassey, 1757 (w / c & ink on paper)
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Clive at Plassey, 1757 (w / c & ink on paper)
5909115 Clive at Plassey, 1757 (w/c & ink on paper) by Heath, William (1795-1840); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: On 23 June 1757 the Nawab of Bengals army confronted the East India Companys near the small village of Plassey (Palashi) about 100 miles north of Calcutta. The Nawab commanded 50, 000 men, including artillery and artillery officers loaned by the French. The Companys army was about 3, 000 strong, including 800 Indian troops. It was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clive. Formerly a writer (clerk), Clive had switched to the Companys military service and his tactical flair and personal bravery had earned him rapid promotion and a great personal fortune.
Siraj-Ud-Daulah, Nawab of Bengal had known that the East India Company wanted him removed for some time. A year before, when the Company refused to halt military preparations at its stronghold of Fort William in Calcutta, the Nawab attacked and captured the fort.
The Company and the British Army won Calcutta back by Christmas 1756. In the spring of 1757 the opposing armies skirmished and squared off. The Company decided a change of regime was needed to achieve its political and financial goals. It secretly offered to make Sirajs army chief, Mir Jafar, the new Nawab of Bengal, if Siraj was defeated in battle. On 23 June, in a grove of trees on the banks of the Bagirathi River, Mir Jafar got his chance.
The Nawabs opening cannonade was out of range, while various skirmishes were inconclusive. Most importantly, Mir Jafar, who commanded the Nawabs 16, 000 cavalry, refused to take part in the battle. By the end of the day, Clive was in a position to rout the Nawabs disheartened forces.
After his victory at Plassey, the Company appointed Clive Governor of Bengal. He attempted to stamp out corruption and profiteering by Company employees - amongst other things he forbade the acceptance of the gifts which had made him so wealthy. In 1765, he secured for the Company the diwani (the right to collect the tax revenues) of Bengal, Indias richest province. This confirmed British military supremacy in the region and gave the Company a political stake in India.); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 22358154
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
Bengal Calcutta Clive Colonisation Colony Commander East India Company Globalisation Plassey Robert Clive
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print titled "Clive at Plassey, 1757" captures a pivotal moment in history when Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clive led the East India Company's army to victory against the Nawab of Bengal. Painted by William Heath in watercolor and ink on paper, this artwork is housed in the National Army Museum in London. On June 23,1757, near the village of Plassey (Palashi), about 100 miles north of Calcutta, Clive's small but strategically skilled force faced off against an army commanded by the Nawab. Despite being outnumbered with only around 3,000 troops compared to the Nawab's 50,000-strong force supported by French artillery officers, Clive emerged triumphant. This battle marked a turning point for British influence in India. The East India Company had secretly offered Mir Jafar, commander of the Nawab's cavalry and potential ally to their cause if Siraj-Ud-Daulah was defeated. Mir Jafar ultimately refused to participate fully in battle while Clive tactically outmaneuvered his opponents throughout the day. Following his victory at Plassey, Clive was appointed Governor of Bengal and worked towards curbing corruption within Company ranks. In securing control over Bengal's tax revenues through diplomacy and military might in 1765 (known as diwani), he solidified British dominance over India. This historic event paved the way for further British expansion into Indian territories and established a political foothold that would shape future colonial rule on the subcontinent.
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