The Death of Clive of India.

The article examines the longstanding belief that Robert Clive, known as "Clive of India," died by suicide in 1774, analyzing the evidence behind this claim. It highlights how rumors of suicide emerged soon after his death, fueled by his controversial public profile and parliamentary inquiries into his conduct in India, which led to widespread public distrust of "nabobs" like Clive. Despite repeated assertions in 19th- and 20th-century biographies, contemporary accounts and official records show no inquest or evidence supporting suicide; instead, Clive likely died from a sudden medical episode, possibly triggered by excessive medication. The article concludes that the suicide narrative is a myth that has persisted in historical portrayals, shaping Clive’s legacy without firm factual basis.