NAM.1963-05-12-1

Robert, Lord Clive (1725-1774), in general officer’s uniform, 1764 (c). Oil on canvas by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), 1764 (c). Posterity has viewed Robert Clive both as a courageous and resourceful military commander who ultimately became an imperial statesman, and also as a greedy speculator who used his political and military influence to amass a fortune, at India’s expense. His first career as a Writer (clerk) in the East India Company’s civil service at Madras effectively ended in 1746, when it was taken by the French. Clive became an ensign in the Company’s service the following year. He briefly returned to the civil establishment in 1749, but re-entered the military as a brevet captain in 1751. He first came to prominence for his heroic defence of the Carnatic’s capital of Arcot (September-October 1751) and as a lieutenant-colonel he commanded the momentous expedition sent to recover Calcutta from Siraj-ud-Daula in 1756. Following his decisive victory at Plassey (23 June 1757), he served twice as Governor of Bengal (1758-1760; 1764-1767). On the latter occasion he was also Commander-in-Chief Bengal, with the local rank of major-general. The painting depicts Clive when he was about to take up the Governorship of Bengal for the second time. His uniform is similar to that first authorised for General Officers in April 1767. Created Baron Clive of Plassey in 1762 and Knight of the Bath in 1764, Clive was nonetheless subjected to bitter political attacks after his return home in 1767. Despite a ringing Parliamentary resolution in his favour, a combination of illness and depression probably led him to take his own life on 24 Nov 1774.