Clive, with only 200 soldiers and 300 Sepoys, seized and held Arcot, the capital of the Karnátik, and on three several occasions defeated the troops of the Nawáb and their French auxiliaries.
From this period we may date the first military power of Madras. In 1754, a Royal regiment, the 39th Foot, was sent out to Madras for the first time, to be followed, four years afterwards, by three other Royal regiments. In 1784 the number of the Native troops in Madras had risen to 34,000.
In regard to Bengal, it appears that in 1650 the English traders in that part of India were restricted to a military establishment of an ensign and 90 men. Shortly afterwards, this little corps was reinforced from Madras by 'a corporal of approved fidelity and 20 soldiers.' At the battle of Plassey a century later (June 23, 1757), the force under Clive consisted of the 39th Foot and some 3000 Madras Sepoys; the defeated army numbering about 70,000 men.
The island of Bombay, as is well known, formed part of the marriage portion received by Charles II with the Infanta of Portugal, and in 1662 the Bombay regiment of Europeans was raised to defend the place. In 1668 the island was granted to the East India Company; and in 1708 Bombay became a Presidency. By 1794, in consequence of the struggles with the Maráthá power, the native troops had been increased to 24,000 men.
In 1796 a general reorganisation of the Indian armies took place. The officers in each Presidency, hitherto borne on general lists according to the
