Lessons from Robert Clive

The gentleman in the image is Robert Clive, a pivotal figure in establishing the East India Company’s rule in India. Clive served as the Governor of Bengal from 1757-60 and again from 1765-67. We often become emotional over colonialism and blame our former kings for India's fall to the British. Many cite Prithvi Raj Chauhan’s decision to pardon Mohammad Ghori, which allegedly opened the floodgates for Islamic invasions in the subcontinent—an entirely separate topic for another blog. Learning from past mistakes is crucial for growth, yet our elites have repeatedly failed to do so. We continue to be governed by the same laws and methods, with distinct shortcomings in various areas.

The Battle of Plassey

When discussing the Battle of Plassey, the narrative often focuses on British cunningness in leveraging Mir Jafar and Siraj Ud Daulah. However, we must consider the perspective of Robert Clive himself. Clive’s success stemmed from his army’s superior discipline, armament, and crucially, better pay. Historians agree that these factors played a significant role in his victories.

In contrast, when the British defeated the Marathas, they discovered vast amounts of wealth in the Maratha camps. Despite having substantial resources, Maratha leaders failed to adequately pay their soldiers, leading to low morale and inefficiency.

"After their victory over the Marathas, the British found vast amounts of cash and treasure in the Maratha camps, which highlighted the fact that, despite having substantial resources, the Maratha leaders had failed to pay their soldiers properly."

— Pramod K. Nayar, The Great Uprising: India, 1857

Economic Disparities: Then and Now

This disparity highlights a persistent issue: the neglect of workers' remuneration. The British respected and compensated their soldiers, contributing to their military success. Today, a similar neglect persists in India. Many workers feel underpaid relative to their labor, a situation exacerbated by poverty, which forces employees to accept any available job.

Case Study: The Hinduja Family

A recent example is the Hinduja family’s conviction in Switzerland for exploiting domestic workers. Employees worked up to 18 hours a day with minimal vacation and received less than one-tenth of the legally mandated pay. Imagine getting paid 1/10th the payment mandated without dignity. This exploitation reflects a broader issue of worker mistreatment and inadequate compensation. Members from Hinduja family got convicted because the matter was in Switzerland, in India I have reasons to believe that many such cases are left buried. 

The Exploitation in Legal Field

In the legal field, exploitation manifests in unpaid internships, with some firms even charging interns for basic necessities. The rationale is that interns are there to learn, but this often leads to harassment under the guise of training. Personally, I have  don't have such experience but I have dodged few bullets in initial interviews itself, but not everyone is as fortunate.

Conclusion

Fair compensation is not just a moral duty but a practical necessity for quality output. Employers who invest in their employees' welfare see better results and fewer complications. The historical lesson from Robert Clive’s victories is clear: respecting and adequately compensating workers leads to success. With great power comes great responsibility, and those in positions of authority must prioritize fair treatment and remuneration of their workforce to foster growth and avoid unnecessary troubles.