The immediate successor of Clive was .............................. .

The correct answer is - Verelst

Key Points

• Harry Verelst was the immediate successor of Robert Clive as the Governor of Bengal.
• Robert Clive, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of British control in India, retired in 1767.
• Harry Verelst served as the Governor of Bengal from 1767 to 1769.
• Verelst is remembered for his attempts to manage the financial and administrative challenges of Bengal, particularly after the economic stress caused by the British occupation.
• He faced significant challenges, including the aftermath of the Bengal Famine of 1770 and administrative inefficiencies.

Additional Information

• Robert Clive's Legacy
  • Robert Clive, also known as "Clive of India," was instrumental in securing British supremacy in India, particularly after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Battle of Buxar (1764).
  • He established the foundations of the dual system of administration in Bengal, where the British controlled revenues while leaving administrative functions to Indian officials.
• Governors of Bengal
  • After Harry Verelst, other notable governors included Cartier and Warren Hastings.
  • Warren Hastings, who became Governor in 1772, is known as the first Governor-General of India and is credited with significant administrative reforms.
• Impact of British Governance
  • The early British administration in Bengal faced criticism for its exploitative policies, which contributed to economic hardship and events like the Bengal Famine.
  • The British East India Company's focus on revenue collection often led to neglect of local welfare and governance.