In this episode of The History in Motion Podcast, we explore the life and legacy of Lord Robert Clive, the controversial architect of British rule in India. Known as "Clive of India," he played a decisive role in the expansion of the British East India Company's power, transforming a trading enterprise into a territorial empire.
Born in 1725 to a modest English family, Clive arrived in India as a low-ranking company clerk. Through bold military campaigns, strategic alliances, and ruthless ambition, he helped defeat the Nawab of Bengal at the pivotal Battle of Plassey in 1757, marking the start of British dominance in the subcontinent. His actions would reshape South Asian geopolitics, and launch a new era of colonial rule.
But Clive’s rise came at a cost. Accusations of corruption, questions about his methods, and the exploitation of India’s wealth under his leadership continue to fuel debate. Was Clive a visionary empire-builder, or the face of a darker legacy?
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