Video summary
Dan Snow explains how the East India Company defeated France during the Seven Years War.
This war was driven by antagonism between England and France over their colonial and trading interests.
They both hoped to become the greatest European power on the Indian subcontinent.
This led to the build-up of the East India Company's armies and the recruitment of local troops or 鈥楽epoys鈥.
Today鈥檚 Indian Army regiments are direct descendants of these armies.
It features accounts of the Black Hole of Calcutta, Battle of Plassey, and Robert Clive.
The East India Company ended up ruling Bengal and the British were thus in a position of unrivalled supremacy in India.
Teacher Notes
This short film could be used as part of an investigation into the reasons why the East India Company was able to establish unrivalled supremacy in India.
Pupils could be asked to think about the role of a range of factors, such as military success, impact of the 鈥楤lack Hole of Calcutta鈥, the role of Robert Clive and diplomacy, etc.
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS3 history in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Third / Fourth level in Scotland.
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The riches accrued from the Company鈥檚 success gave men such as Clive enormous influence in Parliament and society. However, events in India meant that it wouldn鈥檛 last.
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