Around which year was Robert Clive appointed the Governor of Bengal?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Robert Clive was appointed Governor of Bengal around 1764 (specifically for his second term in 1765).
Although Clive had previously served as Governor of Bengal from 1757-1760 after the Battle of Plassey (1757), he was reassigned by the British East India Company after the victory at the Battle of Buxar (1764), specifically to organize the Company's affairs in India.
Robert Clive's two terms:
First term (1757–1760): He was appointed Governor after defeating Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Plassey.
Second term (1765–1767): He was reappointed in 1764 and arrived in India in May 1765. During this time, he signed the Treaty of Allahabad (1765).
Key events of Clive's reign:
Dual Government: He introduced a dual system of governance in Bengal, with the Company controlling the Diwani (revenue collection) and the Nawab controlling the Nizamat (administration).
Diwani Rights: In 1765, he obtained the Diwani rights for Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II.
Society for Trade: To curb corruption, he established a society to monopolize the trade of salt, betel nuts, and tobacco.