On this day, Robert Clive, who led the British East India Company to victory against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal, was joined by Major Kilpatrick and the British forces from Calcutta at Chandernagore. Clive had captured the French fort at Chandernagore.

The French were Siraj’s allies against the British. The conflict in India reflected the Seven Years War that was being fought in Europe and Americas and had Britain and France on opposite sides.

The British army under Clive, including 613 Europeans, 171 artillerymen and 2,100 Indian soldiers, set out for Murshidabad, the Nawab’s seat, on June 13. The Battle of Plassey took place on June 23. Clive crushed Siraj’s giant army and established British rule effectively in Bengal and India.

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