What was Robert Clive known for?

Robert Clive was known for expanding the territory of the East India Company from 1757, and so he laid the foundations for the British Raj or rule in India.

What was Robert Clive accused of?

Robert Clive was accused of corruption, that is extracting wealth for his own personal use when it should have gone to the East India Company's shareholders. He was tried by Parliament and found not guilty.

How did Robert Clive die?

Robert Clive died in 1774 but just how is something of a mystery. The most common theory is that he committed suicide by cutting his own throat with a knife, but he may have died of an accidental or intentional overdose of drugs.

Robert Clive Timeline

Definition

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.

More about: Robert Clive

Timeline

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