In 1633 Madras was raised into a presidency, and in 1668 the island of Bombay— which was the dowry of Charles II.'s queen, the Infanta Catherine of Portugal—was transferred by tile crown to the company. The invasion of the Persian, Nadir Shah, in 1738, who sacked Delhi, slaughtered its inhabitants, and carried away the peacock throne, and vast treasure, hastened the fall of the Mogul empire.
1745-1761.—Great jealousy existed between the English and French. who had also established themselves in India. On the declaration of war between England and France, hostilities commenced in the Madras presidency, nor were they terminated by the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1748. The struggle in the Climatic was continued with ardor, tinder pretext of supporting the claims of rival native princes to sovereignty. Clive (q.v.), the first and most famous name on that great muster-roll of British soldiers and statesmen who have thrown such luster on the British occupation of India, laid the foundation of his country's supremacy in the east. His memorable defense of Arcot in 1751, and his subsequent victories, broke the spell of French invincibility. The next memorable event was the siege and capture of Calcutta, on June 20, 1756, by Suraja Dowlah, grandson of Ali Verdi Khan, and governor or subandar of Bengal. The pris oners. 146 in number, were confined in the small garrison prison or Black Hole, of whom only 23 survived till the morning. Clive quickly took command of an expedition fitted out at Madras, recovered Calcutta (1757), end, assisted by admiral Watson, prosecuted the war with his usual vigor, till lifter a hollow peace and a renewal of hostilities, Suraja Dowlah was completely defeated by Clive in the memorable battle of Plessey, June 23, 1757. Meer Jaffir, Suraja Dowlah's commander-in-chief, was placed on the musnud by the English, who front this time ruled Bengal as well as Behar and Orissa.
Political Progress of East India Company (1764-1773).—After the battle of Buxar, fought in 1764 with Sujah Dowlah, the usurping vizier of Oude, the Mogul emperor, Shah Alum, who had previously been in the power of the defeated Sujah Dowlah, claimed the protection of the British. He confirmed the company in their possessions, and granted them the collectorate or perpetual dewannee of Bengal. Behar, and Orissa, on condition of receiving the sum of £260,000 per annum. During the subsequent
financial difficulties of the company, they repudiated this and other conditions which they had guaranteed to Shah Alum; and the cost to the company of maintaining their authority and standing army prevented them from undertaking public works and devel oping the resources of the country. The regulating act was passed in 1773, and a gov ernor-general was appointed. In 1765 Clive purged the Indian government of oppres sion, extortion, and corruption, and from that, his last visit, dates the purity of the administration of our eastern empire.
Administration of Warren flastings (1773-85).—Warren Hastings was the first governor-general of India. A new power, the supreme court of judicature. appointed by the regulating act, came into operation during his administration. This council arrogated to itself authority exceedingly embarrassing to the governor-general, to whom it was very hostile. Hastings used very unscrupulous, and at times very unjustifiable means to replenish the East India company's exchequer, but, by his energy and talent. lie averted dangers that threatened to annihilate the British supremacy in India. The powerful Mussulmen sovereigns, Hyder Ali and the nizam of the Deccan, assisted by French officers, combined with the Mahrattas against the English; sir Eyre Coole broke up the confederacy. and defeated Hyder Ali in 1781. In 1782 the supreme court of judicature was deprived of its independent powers, and the policy of Hastings was successful both in the council and in the field. In 1784 Mr. Pitt instituted the board of control.
Marquis Cornwallis (1786-93).—Lord Cornwallis, who succeeded Warren Hastings, was both governor-general and commander-in-chief. .His adm nistrative measures were important, and consisted most notably in fixing the land-rent throughout Bengal on that system of land tenure known as Zemindari, and reforming the judicial system. In 1790 lord Cornwallis, with the nizatn, the Mahrattas, and the rajah of Coorg for allies, made war on Tippoo, sultan of Mysore, who had invaded Travancore, then under British protection. Terms were dictated to Tippoo at his capital, Seringapatam, and lie was compel,ed to cede half his dominions to the company.—The marquis Cornwallis was succeeded by sir John Shore (1793-98), whose rule was in no respect memorable.