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Robert Clive: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{#seo: |title=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Iron Man of India and Architect of National Integration |description=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a key leader of the Indian freedom struggle and the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. Known for unifying over 560 princely states, he is remembered as the Iron Man of India. |keywords=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Iron Man of India, Deputy Prime Minister, Indian Independence, Patel Biography, Bardoli Satyagraha, Integration of Indi..."
 
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{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Iron Man of India and Architect of National Integration
|title=Robert Clive Founder of British Rule in India
|description=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a key leader of the Indian freedom struggle and the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. Known for unifying over 560 princely states, he is remembered as the Iron Man of India.
|description=Robert Clive, also known as Clive of India, was a British officer and statesman who played a major role in establishing the British East India Company's control over Bengal. Learn about his life, battles, and legacy.
|keywords=Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Iron Man of India, Deputy Prime Minister, Indian Independence, Patel Biography, Bardoli Satyagraha, Integration of India
|keywords=Robert Clive, Clive of India, Battle of Plassey, British East India Company, Bengal, colonial India, Company rule, British Empire
|image=Sardar_Patel_1949.jpg
|image=Robert_Clive.jpg
}}
}}
{{Infobox deceased
{{Infobox deceased
| name          = Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
| name          = Robert Clive
| image          = Sardar_Patel_1949.jpg
| image          = Robert_Clive.jpg
| image_caption  = Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1949
| image_caption  = Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1875|10|31}}
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1725|9|29}}
| birth_place    = [[Nadiad]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| birth_place    = [[Shropshire]], [[England]], [[Great Britain]]
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1950|12|15|1875|10|31}}
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1774|11|22|1725|9|29}}
| death_place    = [[Mumbai]], [[Bombay State]], [[India]]
| death_place    = [[London]], [[England]]
| resting_place  = [[Sardar Patel Memorial]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]
| resting_place  = [[Moreton Say]], [[Shropshire]]
| nationality    = Indian
| nationality    = British
| occupation    = Lawyer, Freedom Fighter, Statesman, Political Leader
| occupation    = Soldier, Colonial Administrator
| years_active  = 1917–1950
| years_active  = 1744–1767
| known_for      = [[Indian Independence Movement]], [[Integration of princely states]], First Deputy Prime Minister of India
| known_for      = Founding British control in India, Victory at [[Battle of Plassey]]
| notable_works  = Leadership in [[Bardoli Satyagraha]], [[Kheda Satyagraha]], instrumental role in national integration
| notable_works  = Key architect of [[British East India Company]] rule in India
| awards        = Bharat Ratna (posthumously, 1991)
| awards        = Made Baron Clive of Plassey, British peerage
| spouse        = Jhaverba Patel
| spouse        = Margaret Maskelyne
| children      = Maniben Patel, Dahyabhai Patel
| children      = 9
| religion      = [[Hinduism]]
| religion      = [[Anglicanism]]
| website        = [https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?201 Sardar Patel – Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav]
}}
}}
'''Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel''' (31 October 1875 15 December 1950) was a senior leader in the [[Indian Independence Movement]] and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. Known as the '''Iron Man of India''', he was instrumental in uniting over 560 princely states after independence.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vallabhbhai-Patel</ref>
'''Robert Clive''' (29 September 1725 22 November 1774), known as '''Clive of India''', was a British military officer and colonial administrator who played a decisive role in establishing British control over parts of India. He is best known for his victory at the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757, which laid the foundation of [[British East India Company]] rule in Bengal and, eventually, much of India.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Clive</ref>


== Early Life and Education ==
== Early Life ==
Patel was born in [[Nadiad]], Gujarat, into a Patidar family. Despite economic hardships, he pursued education with determination. He went to England to study law at the [[Middle Temple]] and returned to practice as a barrister in Ahmedabad.<ref>https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?201</ref>
Clive was born in [[Shropshire]], England, into a relatively modest family. He had a difficult youth and was sent to work for the [[British East India Company]] in [[Madras]] (now [[Chennai]]) as a clerk in 1744. Dissatisfied with office work, he later joined the Company’s military arm.<ref>https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/india/clive.htm</ref>


== Role in the Freedom Struggle ==
== Military Career and Battle of Plassey ==
Influenced by [[Mahatma Gandhi]], Patel left his legal practice and joined the national movement. He played a key role in:
Clive gained prominence during the [[Carnatic Wars]], especially for his role in the successful defense of [[Arcot]] in 1751. However, his most significant achievement was at the [[Battle of Plassey]] on 23 June 1757, where he led Company troops against the [[Nawab of Bengal]], [[Siraj-ud-Daulah]].<ref>https://www.britishlibrary.cn/en/articles/the-battle-of-plassey</ref>
* The [[Kheda Satyagraha]] (1918), where he fought for tax relief for farmers 
* The [[Bardoli Satyagraha]] (1928), which earned him the title '''Sardar''' (leader) from the people 
* The [[Quit India Movement]] and Congress organizational work


His organizational skills made him a top leader in the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref>https://www.thebetterindia.com/201974/sardar-vallabhbhai-patel-india-unification-iron-man-history/</ref>
Clive secured victory with the help of defectors like [[Mir Jafar]], who was promised the Nawabship in return. This victory allowed the British East India Company to gain control of Bengal’s revenues and administration.


== Deputy Prime Minister and National Integration ==
== Rise to Power ==
Post-independence, he became India’s first '''Deputy Prime Minister''' and '''Home Minister''' under [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s cabinet. Patel led the integration of over 560 princely states into the [[Union of India]] through diplomatic negotiation, use of the '''Instrument of Accession''', and firm resolve. His efforts avoided possible balkanization of India.
After Plassey, Clive became Governor of [[Bengal Presidency]]. He restructured Company rule and secured enormous personal wealth. In 1765, he returned to India and negotiated the [[Diwani rights]]—the right to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa—for the Company from the [[Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II]].<ref>https://www.historytoday.com/archive/robert-clive-and-founding-british-india</ref>


He also played a major role in:
== Controversies and Death ==
* Founding the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) 
Clive faced criticism back in Britain for alleged corruption and abuse of power. Although acquitted by Parliament, he suffered from depression and ill health. He died by suicide on 22 November 1774 in London.
* Managing internal security during partition-related violence 
* Reorganizing the civil services and police


== Death and Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
Sardar Patel died on 15 December 1950 in Mumbai. In 1991, he was posthumously awarded the '''Bharat Ratna''', India’s highest civilian honor.<ref>https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?201</ref>
Robert Clive is a controversial figure. On one hand, he is credited as the founder of the British Empire in India and a brilliant strategist; on the other hand, his legacy is marred by accusations of exploitation and corruption. The vast wealth extracted from Bengal following his campaigns contributed to Britain’s imperial dominance but also caused severe economic strain and famine in India.


His legacy includes:
His actions and legacy remain widely debated in the context of colonialism, especially in modern India and Britain.
* The [[Statue of Unity]], inaugurated in 2018, which is the tallest statue in the world 
* Numerous institutions, roads, and public projects named in his honor 
* 31 October is observed as '''Rashtriya Ekta Diwas''' (National Unity Day) to commemorate his efforts


== See Also ==  
== See Also ==
* [[Statue of Unity]]   
* [[Battle of Plassey]]   
* [[Bardoli Satyagraha]]   
* [[British East India Company]]   
* [[Indian Administrative Service]]   
* [[Mir Jafar]]   
* [[Indian Independence Movement]]
* [[Bengal Presidency]]


== References ==
== References ==
<references/>
<references/>

Latest revision as of 16:28, 13 July 2025


Robert Clive
Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive
Born 29 September 1725
Birthplace Shropshire, England, Great Britain
Died 22 November 1774 (aged 49)
Place of death London, England
Resting place Moreton Say, Shropshire
Nationality British
Occupation Soldier, Colonial Administrator
Years active 1744–1767
Known for Founding British control in India, Victory at Battle of Plassey
Notable works Key architect of British East India Company rule in India
Awards Made Baron Clive of Plassey, British peerage
Spouse(s) Margaret Maskelyne
Children 9
Parents
Religion Anglicanism
Website

Robert Clive (29 September 1725 – 22 November 1774), known as Clive of India, was a British military officer and colonial administrator who played a decisive role in establishing British control over parts of India. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, which laid the foundation of British East India Company rule in Bengal and, eventually, much of India.[1]

Early Life

Clive was born in Shropshire, England, into a relatively modest family. He had a difficult youth and was sent to work for the British East India Company in Madras (now Chennai) as a clerk in 1744. Dissatisfied with office work, he later joined the Company’s military arm.[2]

Military Career and Battle of Plassey

Clive gained prominence during the Carnatic Wars, especially for his role in the successful defense of Arcot in 1751. However, his most significant achievement was at the Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757, where he led Company troops against the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah.[3]

Clive secured victory with the help of defectors like Mir Jafar, who was promised the Nawabship in return. This victory allowed the British East India Company to gain control of Bengal’s revenues and administration.

Rise to Power

After Plassey, Clive became Governor of Bengal Presidency. He restructured Company rule and secured enormous personal wealth. In 1765, he returned to India and negotiated the Diwani rights—the right to collect revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa—for the Company from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.[4]

Controversies and Death

Clive faced criticism back in Britain for alleged corruption and abuse of power. Although acquitted by Parliament, he suffered from depression and ill health. He died by suicide on 22 November 1774 in London.

Legacy

Robert Clive is a controversial figure. On one hand, he is credited as the founder of the British Empire in India and a brilliant strategist; on the other hand, his legacy is marred by accusations of exploitation and corruption. The vast wealth extracted from Bengal following his campaigns contributed to Britain’s imperial dominance but also caused severe economic strain and famine in India.

His actions and legacy remain widely debated in the context of colonialism, especially in modern India and Britain.

See Also

References