| Product
Code |
: |
PUD NO_757-1 AE |
| Subject | : | Clive-Victory at Plassey-1758 |
| Size | : | 40 mm |
| Metal | : | Copper |
| Year | : | 1758 |
| Description | : | obv. Victory, bearing a trophy and a palm branch, is mounted on an elephant, left, around border : VICTORY - AT - PLASSY CLIVE - COMMANDER. IN exergue : MDCCL VII / SOC - P - A - C (1758 / Society Promoting Arts and Commerce), rev : Clive, dressed as a Roman general, holds a scepter surmounted by a lion in his left hand, and with his right presents to Meer Jaffar another scepter surmounted by dolphin; between them is a globe, a rudder and a cornucopia, around border : INIVRIES - ATTONED - PRIVILEGE - AVGMENTED - TERRITORY - ACQVIRED - A - SOVBAH - GIVEN - TO - BENGAL / MDCCLVII (1758).
The Society Promoting Arts and Commerce struck medals to commemorate historical events. This was their first. Siraj-ud-daula, the Nawab of Bengal, had gone into camp at Plassey (Palasi), where he awaited the English army marching towards Murshidabad from Calcutta. Clive had about 3,000 men, one-third Europeans, against more than 50,000 including a French contingent. Event Clive hesitated to attack. Eventually, he made up his mind and the strong defensive position he took, disunity amongst the Nawab’s commanders (Meer Jaffar was one of them), rain and the courage of the British troops decided the outcome. Siraj-ud-daula was captured, cut into pieces and paraded through Murshidabad on an elephant. Meer Jaffar was placed on the throne. Bengal was British. |
