Clive of India

Clive of India by R. J. Minney is a biographical account of Robert Clive, the British soldier and administrator whose actions were central to the establishment of British power in India during the eighteenth century. The book traces Clive’s early life, his arrival in India as an employee of the East India Company, and his rapid rise through military and political ranks. Minney describes key events such as the defence of Arcot and the Battle of Plassey, presenting them as turning points in British involvement in the subcontinent. Alongside military campaigns, the biography explores Clive?s personality, ambitions, and inner conflicts, including his struggles with health, reputation, and political opposition in Britain. Written in a dramatic and accessible style, the book emphasises character and narrative as much as historical detail. It reflects early twentieth-century imperial perspectives while offering a vivid portrait of a controversial figure whose legacy shaped the course of Indian and British history.