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India
In 1759 India was finally won for the British Empire by the East India Company. The whole British way of life in India had changed. It was now impossible for the British to remain simply as traders. They would have to rule or perish.
Calcutta had been recaptured in 1757. Surajah Dowlah's cruelty led to his own men joining with Clive to depose him and put Mir Jafar on the throne. Clive met Surajah Dowlah at Plessey.
Clive wrote to Pitt that the time was right for Britain to take over India. He understood that the people were fickle, the princes could be bought, there were no deep loyalties. But who should administer India, the East India Company or the Crown? Who should take the profits?
Charles Cornwallis |
CHARLES CORNWALLIS (1738-1805)- The British general who surrendered at Yorktown during the War of American Independence
- Appointed Governor-General of India in 1786
- Remembered for his administrative reforms
- Became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and suppressed the 1798 Irish Rebellion
- In 1804 returned to India, again as Governor-General, and died a year later
Clive estimated an yearly income of 拢2million from India. He envisaged paying the Mogul one fifth of that sum.
ORME'S ACCOUNT OF TREACHERY AT THE BATTLE OF PLESSEY
"About noon a very heavy shower covered the plain, and very soon damaged the enemy's powder so much, that their fire slackened continually; but the English ammunition served on. The Nabob had remained in his tent out of reach of danger, continually flattered by his attendants and officers, of whom one half were traitors, with assurances of victory; but about noon he was informed that Mir Murdeen, the best and most faithful of his generals, was mortally wounded by a cannon-ball. The misfortune disturbed him to excess; he immediately sent for Mir Jafir; and as soon as he entered the tent, flung his turban on the ground, saying "Jafir, that turban you must defend". "The other bowed, and with his hands on his breast, promised his utmost services; and returning to his troops and associates, immediately dispatched a letter to Colonel Clive, informing him what had passed, and advising him either to push forward in the instant, or at all events, to attack the Nabob's camp at three the next morning".
 
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| 1727 | George I dies
George II becomes king
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| 1751 | Death of Frederick Prince of Wales
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| 1754 | Tom Pelham, Duke of Newcastle becomes Prime Minister
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| 1756 | Pitt the Elder becomes Secretary at War
Seven Years' War starts
Black Hole of Calcutta
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| 1757 | Militia Act
Calcutta recaptured
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| 1760 | George II dies
George III becomes king
Wolfe dies at Quebec
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| 1761 | Pitt the Elder falls from power
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