Portraits, Robert First Lord Clive, From the Original in The Government House Calcutta, c1774

First Lord Clive 1725 - 1774

Date: c1803

Engraver: Mote, W.T.

Publisher: The London Printing and Publishing Company

Paper Size: 275 x 180mm

Condition: Good

Technique: Steel Engraving, later hand colouring

Price: $120

Description: 

Robert Clive was born to a country gentry family. 

From the original in the government house, Calcutta.

At 17, he joined the East India Company as a clerk in 1742. He arrived in India in 1744 after a very long 15-month Voyage. 

It was in India that he would fulfil his ambiguous destiny as champion of the British Empire and utterly ruthless colonialist. A historian describes him as, sturdy, violent, self-centred, emotional,  generous, courageous, and brilliant in adversity. 

Known as 'Clive of India' as he masterminded the expansion of the East India Company. 

Best known for his victory at Plasseyin Bengal in 1757, Clive's reputation suffered in his own lifetime from charges of corruption and subsequently one of the main architects of British Imperialism in India.