Jackdaw's Clive of India

The folder that contains all the documents

 I like reproductions of historical documents.  I am also interested in the East India Company in the Seven Years’ War and no employee of the Company is more famous than Robert Clive.  Born in England in 1725, Clive entered the Company’s service as a writer, but quickly moved into their armed forces.  After a few successful victories, Clive was ordered to assist Mir Jafar, who was attempting to dethrone the current nawab Siraj-ud Dowlah. 

Jackdaw was a company that reproduced historical documents related to a certain era.  This particular folder covers Clive of India, but Jackdaw made at least 47 others.  All of these documents have a number printed in the corner to assist identification.

Contents:

1.      A plan of the Battle of Plassey.  This is an original plan of three stages of the Battle of Plassey.  A drawing above the plans shows elephants in the army of Siraj-ud Dowlah.

2.      Journal of the Expedition to Arcot.  Arcot was the first battle in which Clive commanded the British forces and this journal was kept by a sergeant and later copied by Dr. James Wilson, a surgeon.

3.      Extracts from the East India Company’s Advices by Thomas Saunders.  In 1753, the French supported the powerful ruler Salabat Jung. This document discusses ways to thwart the French plans.

Jackdaw folder opened

4.      Pages from A Genuine Narrative by J. Z. Holwell.  John Zephaniah Holwell was an employee of the East India Company who survived the Black Hole of Calcutta.  These extracts are from his book about the Black Hole. 

5.      Translation of Siraj-ud Dowlah’s letter to Clive.  In this letter, the Nawab attempts to make peace with the Company after Robert Clive attacked his camp by night.

The Contents of Jackdaw's Clive of India

6.      General return of troops April 10 1757.  This is probably my favorite piece of the entire collection, since it shows each Company unit, the number of its officers, enlisted men, and sick men.  It also shows the artillery, sepoys, and deserters.

7.      Letter from Clive to Governor Roger Drake.  In this letter, Clive discusses forging Admiral Watson’s signature on a treaty allying with Mir Jafar.  Watson signed the real treaty, but not the false one, which was intended to deceive a conspirator named Omichund, who wanted more money.

8.      Contemporary translation of the Treaty between Mir Jafar and the English.  Mir Jafar wanted to become Nawab instead of Siraj-ud Dowlah.  In this treaty, he promises to support the Company and pay their losses when Siraj-ud Dowlah captured Calcutta.

9.      Pages from the London Chronicle #69.  The main article is a description of Calcutta.  Another related article discusses the recent capture of Calcutta by Siraj-ud Dowlah and his troops.  Other interesting columns of the newspaper include: “Foreign Transactions” reports on the Seven Years’ War in Europe; “Country News” covering the capture of two highwaymen; “London”, discussing ships and society; and an editorial crying out against the injustice of not paying seamen who work for the Royal Navy.  This last piece is “manifestly confirmed by facts”, including several citations from the Bible.

10.  A Page from the London Chronicle #70.  This gives more coverage to the capture of Calcutta, as well as the Black Hole (a small prison that was filled with 146 Englishmen and women).

11.  Six broadsheets.  These were produced by Jackdaw, and cover Robert Clive, The Rival Companies, The Siege of Arcot, The Black Hole of Calcutta, The Battle of Plassey, and India After Plassey.

12.  A Table of Contents.  This gives a short summary & background on each document.   Among other things, it reproduces a painting of the 39^th Regiment (which fought at Plassey) by David Morier, as well as an East India Company cipher to conceal messages.

"Lord Clive receiving from the Nawab of Bengal" by Edward Penny

Edward Penny was a noted British artist of the 18th Century.  He was born in 1714 and died in 1791.  He painted military subjects and was known to be accurate in his details. The Seven Years' War comprised some of his subject matter.  While fighting raged in Europe and North America, the Seven Years’ War was also fought in India.  During the war, a young man named Robert Clive rose to command some of the Company’s troops and scored an important victory at Plassey.  Clive’s forces contained regular British soldiers, Englishmen who served the Company, and natives who served the Company. These last were known as Sepoys.

This painting is titled “Lord Clive receiving from the Nawab of Bengal a grant of money for disabled officers and soldiers.” Edward Penny also painted another canvas about high-ranking military leaders helping sick soldiers.  Read about it here: http://www.defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-marquess-of-granby-helping-sick.html

Robert Clive stands in the center of the painting, with Mir Jafar, the Nawab of Bengal.  The strange looking knife in the Nawab’s sash is known as a katar (or kattary).  Clive returned to England in 1772, and Mir Jafar died in 1765, so this painting must be between 1757-1765. In other words, it is set during the era of the Seven Years’ War.  The uniforms of the East India Company in the Seven Years’ War are poorly recorded, so this painting may provide several important clues. 

The seated man in blue is an artilleryman of the British Royal Artillery (1).  The two soldiers standing in the back of the group are European infantry raised in Bengal (2).  By looking closely behind the artilleryman’s head, a sepoy’s head and turban can be made out.  His jacket is red and his turban is white with a blue center.  

With infantry, artillery, and sepoys in the painting, the last seated figure is likely to be a cavalryman.  The EIC did raise some units of European cavalry (3, 4).  Furthermore, his uniform is unlike any known British regular cavalry unit (5).  He appears to be wearing short gaiters over his shoes.  His coat is red, with red lapels and cuffs, and gold buttons, but no lace on the buttonholes.  His waistcoat is blue with gold lace edging the buttonholes.  His hat is black with gold trim.  It is quite possible that Edward Penny painted him to record the uniform of the Company’s European cavalry.

To the right of the group of soldiers is a European woman and three children.  They are likely the family of one of the soldiers.

(1)  Uniforms of the Seven Years War by John Mollo and Malcolm McGregor (Blandford: 1977) pgs. 92, 157-158

(2)  http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Bengal_European_Regiment

(3)  http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Bengal_European_Regiment

(4)  Armies of the East India Company 1750-1850 by Stuart Reid (Osprey: 2010) pg. 23

(5)  A History of the Uniforms of the British Army by C. C. P. Lawson (Kaye & Ward Ltd: 1971) pgs. 107-150, especially pg. 120

Beyond the Mask--East India Company's Guards

This is a drawing I recently completed of a private soldier of the East India Company's guards from the movie Beyond the Mask. There are at least two types of the Company's soldiers in this movie: one in red coats with blue cuffs and lapels with white lace, and one with black and grey.

These men in black coats with grey cuffs and lapels are Charles Kemp's elite guards, unlike the men in red coats and blue cuffs.  The men with grey cuffs were probably chosen based on their excellent service in India.  These men were trusted with keeping Charles Kemp safe and guarding his property and living quarters. In the movie, they can be seen driving the Company's carriage, accompanying Mr. Kemp to church, and working at Kemp's property in the New World.  Charles Kemp was their colonel, and their cuffs were grey, so if they had a nickname, it would probably be "Kemp's Greys."

This uniform was not worn by the historic East India Company's troops.  For the real uniform, visit http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=Bengal_European_Regiment

Drawing by Jordan Jachim

21 June 1757: Council of War

At a hamlet called Cuttawa, a column of 3,000 British troops settled in for the night.  Some were newly-recruited English lads, who had joined His Majesty’s army and never expected a posting in India.   Others were veterans of the East India Company’s service.  The majority of the force was native soldiers, or sepoys.  All were settling down for the night.  The lights in camp were extinguished, and the pickets began their weary vigils, ensuring that no enemy could surprise them while they slept.

But one tent still remained illuminated: the tent of British commander Robert Clive, who was holding a council of war.  Twenty European officers had been convened to answer the question: “Whether in our present situation without assistance and on our own bottom it would be prudent to attack the Nabob, or whether we should wait till joined by some Country Power.”

Much was at stake, and either decision was perilous in its own way.  The British had gotten in this situation because they had backed Mir Jafar in his secret bid to become Nabob.  Mir Jafar had suggested that the British should march to Plassey and battle the current Nabob, Siraj-ud-Doula.  The British had done so—but now what?

Clive’s question haunted the air.  To wait would mean the strengthening of the Nabob’s army with seasoned French soldiers.  With them, Siraj-ud-Doula would regain courage and his armies would crush the handful of British soldiers. But to attack the Nabob seemed suicidal, especially if Mir Jafar switched allegiances and joined the fight against them.  Could 3,000 European regulars, sailors, and Indian sepoys face the Nabob’s host of 35,000?  These two unpleasant alternatives now faced the council of war.

Usually in councils of war, the most junior officer would voice his opinion first, going on until finally reaching the highest officer.  Clive, however, broke with custom and gave his opinion first.  He declared that they must wait for Mir Jafar.  Major Kilpatrick (of his Majesty’s 39^th Regiment of Foot) and Major Grant (of the East India Company) concurred.  Major Eyre Coote was of a different way of thinking. He said, “that the common soldiers were at present confident of success; that a stop so near the enemy would naturally quell this ardor, which it would be difficult to restore.”  He went on to say that a small French army would join the Nabob shortly, and when this happened, the Nabob would vigorously attack and cut off the British from their base at Calcutta.  Cut off from supplies, their position would become critical.

Down the ranks the votes went.  When it had finished, 13 officers had voted for waiting, and 7 had voted for attacking.  The vote was cast, and yet somehow Clive was not satisfied.  He exited the tent and, wandering up and down in a nearby mango grove, thought the matter over.  After an hour, he had come to a decision.

Drums beat as soldiers hurriedly formed ranks.  Officers bellowed commands and sergeants shoved and pushed to straighten the formations.  Clive had determined to march to Plassey and attack.  The battle, on 23 June, 1757, was a British victory.  Siraj-ud-Doula was killed soon after, and a grateful Mir Jafar loaded Clive and his men with presents.

“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”—Proverbs 24:6

Beyond the Mask--Charles Kemp's India Jacket

Mir Jafar (center) and attendants

John Rhys-Davies in his Indian Jacket

Captain John Foote of the East India Company

The Christian movie Beyond the Mask has been recently released.  I have chronicled some of its progress on my blog previously (see http://defendingthelegacy.blogspot.com/
search/label/Beyond%20the%20Mask).  One of the characters in the movie, Sir Charles Kemp, wears this ornate jeweled jacket in one scene of the movie.  This is shown in picture one (Kemp is played by the actor John Rhys-Davies). There is a solid historical basis for his jacket, as I hope to show.

The second picture is detail of a larger painting by Francis Hayman circa 1760.  The painting itself is of Robert Clive and Mir Jafar meeting after the Battle of Plassey.  In this detail, Mir Jafar can be seen wearing very similar jeweled embellishments to Charles Kemp.

Indians wore these, but did Europeans, even those who had contact with India?  The answer is yes, thanks to a remarkable painting by Joshua Reynolds.  It depicts Captain John Foote of the East India Company in full native regalia.  His jacket, again, bears marked similarities to Charles Kemp's.

In conclusion, these jeweled jackets were definitively used in the 18th Century, long before any singers had popularized them.

1761 Uniforms of the Bombay Marine

"The officers [of the Bombay Marine] were increased in number, by two commanders, ten more lieutenants; and, to improve the morale of the whole, divine service was now first performed on board, and all gambling, swearing &c., strictly forbidden; and in 1761, a regular uniform was adopted by the officers, who, by the Governor in Council, were 'ordered to wear blue frock coats, turned up with yellow, dress-coats and waistcoats of the same colour, and according to regulation pattern.  Large boot-sleeves and facings of gold lace were the fashion for the superior grades, while the midshipmen and masters of gallivats were to rest contented with small round cuffs and no facings.'"--pg 210, Cassell's Illustrated History of India by James Grant

Plassey Gallery

Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Plassey.  Plassey was fought during the Seven Years' War in India as Robert Clive of the East India Company battled Siraj-ud-Doula and his French allies.

Clive's men positioned themselves behind a mango grove as Siraj's army approached.  Some Indians attempted to attack, but were driven back by fierce cannon fire.  Before the battle began, however, Robert Clive had made a deal with one of Siraj's generals, Mir Jafar.  In exchange for neutrality during the battle, the British would seat Mir Jafar on Siraj's throne.  Jafar's inaction ultimately decided the battle and the British crowned him.  However, Mir Jafar soon rebelled against his ally and the British unseated him.  For a good summary of the battle, visit: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1757-06-23_-_Battle_of_Plassey

About the pictures

The first and second pictures show the British lines receiving the charge of the colorful Indian horsemen. 

The third picture shows Clive (center) meeting Mir Jafar (in gold robe) after the battle.

The fourth picture showcases the Royal Artillery's contribution to the battle.  In the background is the old hunting lodge located in the mango grove.
The fifth picture is set in the British lines, as the gunners fire on the Indians.

Providence and a Thorn Walking Stick

During the Seven Years' War, much fighting took place in India.  In 1758, the Irishman General Lally was sent to take command of the French forces there.  But India was full of danger:

"The party to assassinate Lally was composed of 50 Black horsemen.  At dawn, riding from the city, at a leisurely pace, to the French camp, and being challenged by the outguard, they stated, that they came to offer their services to the French General; and, accordingly, required to be conducted to him.  Nothing wrong being suspected, they were conducted towards his quarters, about half a mile in the rear of his camp.  Lally, informed of their approach, got out of bed, and merely in his drawers, and luckily with a thorn-stick in his hand, went, accompanied by but 1 attendant, to meet them.  At about 100 yards from him, the troop halted, their Captain, coming forward on horseback; and being now near enough, to make sure, as it were, of their intended victim, and in order, apparently, to signify to their main force about the town, that the assassination-business was in hand, 1 of the Black troopers galloped to an ammunition-tumbrel, fired his pistol into it, and blew himself up with a suitable explosion, at the same time that the Captain of the troop rode in upon Lally, making a cimetar-cut at his head.  Lally, not losing his presence of mind, parried the blow with his wooden life-preserver; his stout and faithful attendant instantly despatching the baffled murderer.  The General, nevertheless, was trampled down and stunned by the onset of the rest of the Black troop, till his guard rushing up, he came to himself, and, sabre in hand, at the head, gave the villains, who charged twice, their deserts; 28 of them being shot dead, and the remainder forced to ride into a pond, where they were drowned; his guard losing but 2 men in the encounter."--page 514, History of the Irish Brigades in the Service of France by John Cornelius O'Callaghan

Seven Years War in India from Cassell's History of India

 All pictures from Cassell's Illustrated History of India available here: https://archive.org/details/cassellsillustra01gran.  These pictures begin with Robert Clive storming the Indian fort of Arcot to relieve the siege of Conjeveram.  Clive then defended Arcot against the Nabob's army.

 Arcot proved Clive as a soldier, but Plassey was the greatest victory of Robert Clive.  With 3,000 soldiers (and some negotiations with an aspirant to the throne), he defeated the Nabob of Bengal's army of 50,000.

 But the French East India Company sent a fleet and army out to India.  This picture illustrates the naval Battle of Pondicherry.

 This picture illustrates the British storming the fortress of Masulipatam, though the British stormed many fortified positions similar to this one.

Finally, the troops of the French East India Company were trapped and besieged in Pondicherry.  Here four French commissioners come to the British to ask to surrender.  The Third Carnatic War (or the Seven Years' War in India) broke French power and raised the East India Company to governing much of India.

Siege of Chandernagore

Early in the year 1757, the troops of the British East India Company besieged the French outpost of Chandernagore.  The French surrendered after a heavy bombardment by the ships of Admiral Watson and the soldiers of Colonel Clive.  Percival Innes writes this about the surrender of Chandernagore.

"There were about 500 Europeans in the Fort, 250 Seapoys and 400 Topasses, Mustees, &c., bearing arms.  Of the Europeans about 125 have given their parole of honour, 300 sick and well are prisoners, and the rest were either killed in the siege or made their escape."  Besides these, Broome states that "there were nearly 50 ladies," and Ives mentions specially the case of M. Nicholas, who lost his all, as he had neglected to remove his goods from the town to the Fort; a subscription was raised amongst his captors for his relief and he was presented with 1200, on receipt of which he cried out with joy, "Good God! they are friends indeed!"--pg 45. The History of the Bengal European Regiment by Percival Innes.

This is an inspiring story of generosity, even among enemies!