British governance of large swathes of Indian territory began with Robert Clive 's victory over the Nawab of Bengal , Siraj ud-Daulah , at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 .
British rule of a large area of Indian territory began with Robert Clive 's win over the Nawab of Bengal , Siraj ud-Daulah , at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 .