On this day, news of Calcutta’s capture by Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah reached the East India Company in Madras (now Chennai).

The Presidency of Fort St George in Madras sent Colonel Robert Clive and Admiral Charles Watson towards Bengal.

The Council of Fort St George in a letter said that “the object of the expedition was not merely to re-establish the British settlements in Bengal, but also to obtain ample recognition of the Company’s privileges and reparation for its losses” without the risk of war.

It added that any sign of dissatisfaction and ambition among the Nawab’s subjects should be supported.

Clive commanded land forces of 900 Europeans and 1,500 Indian soldiers and Watson commanded a naval force.

Watson’s fleet entered the Hooghly in December. They met the fugitive British of Calcutta at the village of Falta.

The forces took over the Budge Budge fort on December 29 and Calcutta on January 2, 1757.

On June 23, Clive would defeat Siraj-ud-Daulah at Plassey.

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