ShawnEndresen
September 2nd, 2005, 07:59 PM
Thanks to the Cliveless timeline below, I've been thinking about ol' Bob the last day or two. Suppose we take him in the other direction?
In OTL, Clive was sent to replace the Nawab of Bengal after the Black Hole incident with a local pliable candidate to be determined. After deposing the incumbent, he declared Bengal to be henceforth governed by the British East India Company...an act which stunned both the Admiral in charge of the expedition and the Company officials. Clive does not appear to have discussed this idea with anyone before proclaiming it. Thus was the precedent set for India's next 100 years.
Suppose Clive's feelings are a bit different; perhaps he was recently slighted by his superiors or something, and instead, he declares it to be the property of King George II until and unless that worthy should hand it off. Some will argue he's clearly angling to be created Duke of Calcutta, which may or may not be true but is neither here nor there.
How will the monarch and Parliament respond?
In OTL, Clive was sent to replace the Nawab of Bengal after the Black Hole incident with a local pliable candidate to be determined. After deposing the incumbent, he declared Bengal to be henceforth governed by the British East India Company...an act which stunned both the Admiral in charge of the expedition and the Company officials. Clive does not appear to have discussed this idea with anyone before proclaiming it. Thus was the precedent set for India's next 100 years.
Suppose Clive's feelings are a bit different; perhaps he was recently slighted by his superiors or something, and instead, he declares it to be the property of King George II until and unless that worthy should hand it off. Some will argue he's clearly angling to be created Duke of Calcutta, which may or may not be true but is neither here nor there.
How will the monarch and Parliament respond?