Robert Clive (1725-1774), also known as 'Clive of India' and Baron Clive of Plassey, masterminded the expansion of the East India Company in India. Best known for his victory at Plassey in Bengal in 1757, Clive's reputation suffered in his own lifetime from charges of corruption and subsequently as one of the main architects of British imperialism in India.
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Definition
Timeline
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1725 - 1774Life of Robert Clive, Governor of Bengal for the East India Company.
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29 Sep 1725Robert Clive is born in Styche Hall in Shropshire, England.
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Dec 1742Robert Clive joins the East India Company as a 'writer'.
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1749A young Robert Clive is involved in two attacks on French-held Tanjore.
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Aug 1751 - Sep 1751Robert Clive leads the defence of Arcot for the East India Company.
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Dec 1751Robert Clive wins a battle at Arni against forces of Chandra Sahib, the nizam of Hyderabad.
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Feb 1752Robert Clive wins the battle at Kaveripak for the East India Company.
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Jun 1752Robert Clive commands the artillery of the East India Company and helps capture Trichinopoly.
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1754Robert Clive is elected MP for Mitchell in Cornwall.
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1755Robert Clive returns to India as a lieutenant colonel in the East India Company.
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Feb 1756Robert Clive captures the Gheria fortress for the East India Company.
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Jan 1757Robert Clive recaptures Calcutta for the East India Company.
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Mar 1757Robert Clive captures French-held Chandernagore for the East India Company.
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23 Jun 1757Robert Clive of the East India Company wins the Battle of Plessey against forces of the nawab of Bengal.
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Feb 1758Robert Clive is made Governor of Bengal by the East India Company.
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1761Robert Clive is elected MP for Shrewsbury.
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Mar 1762Robert Clive is awarded an Irish peerage and henceforth is known as Lord Clive or Baron Clive of Plassey.
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1764Robert Clive is appointed Governor of Bengal for a second time by the East India Company.
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1765Robert Clive initiates reforms in the East india Company reducing corruption and salaries.
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12 Aug 1765The Mughal emperor Shah Alam II awards the East India company the right to collect land revenue (dewani) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
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1768Robert Clive is elected MP for Shrewsbury for a second time.
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1773The British Parliament investigates the financial afffairs of Robert Clive but finds no wrong-doing.
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22 Nov 1774Robert Clive dies in his home in London, rumours abound that it was suicide.
