Robert Clive - Shropshire's Empire Builder Part 2

When Clive stepped ashore in India in 1744 the country was in political upheaval. Local rulers were increasing their power and the influence of the emperor was almost gone.

Into this ever shifting political landscape the western powers sought to increase their influence and their trade. The greatest rivalry was between the British and the French and throughout his early years Clive would see first hand how the French would do anything to become the dominant power in the region.

His life as a writer (clerk) in Madras was uneventful although he and his friends got up to the usual things young men far from home got up to. By 1746 Clive was bored with his life but it was all about to change

Continental War

In 1746 with Britain and France at war on the continent (War of Austrian Succession) the French took the opportunity to attack and they took the fortress of Madras. Clive and a few of his friends escaped and travelled to Fort St. David.

Clive's military career now began when he volunteered to join the military expedition of 1748 to take the French stronghold of Pondicherry. This expedition was something of a disaster but it taught Clive some valuable lessons which he would use later. By late 1748 the European war was over and things returned to normal between the French and the British in India.

In 1749 two of the most powerful thrones in India became vacant and the French and the British saw opportunities to extend their influence over those vying for the thrones of Deccan and Carnatic. As war broke out between the rivals the French and the British picked opposing sides and were soon in open hostility.

After a series of failed expeditions in which Clive had shown himself courageous and resourceful the two thrones were settled with the French backed nominees securing both. Clive returned to work for the East India Company and was promoted, becoming the steward of Fort St. David with responsibility for the provisioning of the garrisons.

The Siege of Arcot

With the French in the ascendancy to the extent that the British nominee for the throne in Carantic was under siege in Trichinopoly it was felt that the British had to do something and in August 1751 they did.

To relieve the pressure on Trichinopoly an attack was planned on the capital of the area at Arcot. Clive at 25 and a captain was given command of a force of 200 European solders and 300 Indian sepoys. Under Clive's driving this small army marched the 70 miles to Arcot with great haste and through a great thunderstorm. Such determination had not been seen by the Indians and Clive's disregard of the thunderstorm seemed like an omen to the defenders of Arcot that here was a man who could not be deterred even by the gods. By the time Clive's army arrived at Arcot the defenders had left and he took the town and the fortress without a shot being fired.

Go To Page: 1 2