Gateway to Delhi From South India

Structures made of stones, clay, limestone, or concrete may appear lifeless and insignificant, but they become infused with meaning when they are intertwined with the narrative of a kingdom, legend, or culture. In this way, the structure transforms into a monument of history and memory, eventually becoming a cherished part of our heritage that is passed down from one generation to the next, acquiring immeasurable value over time. Such is the tale of a fortress gate, which etched its name in Indian history for being defended by a Britisher, thus shaping a significant chapter in our colonial past.

Delhi Gate or the Arcot Gate at Vellore; Source: Trip Advisor

It is commonly said that "Behind every successful man, there is a woman." In a similar vein, we can say that behind every legend lies a battle marked by valour, strategy, wit, passion, or ambition. The tale behind the Arcot Gate makes it a historical monument, driven by the passion of a Britisher whose strategic valour transformed him from an insignificant clerk to one of the most renowned figures associated with our subcontinent's colonial history. The gate in question was one of the entrances to the Mughal fort at Arcot, currently located in the Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu. Constructed by the Mughal governor Daud Khan Panni in the late 17th century, the fort aimed to fortify the town situated on the banks of the now nearly dried-up Palar River. Constantly besieged by French allied forces, the governor fortified the fort with a moat on three sides and the river on the fourth, featuring a gate at its north end.

The Carnatic Gate earned its name due to its historical significance, merging with the legendary achievements of a young British captain named Robert Clive.

When we think of Robert Clive in the history of our subcontinent, we often associate him with the Major-General who defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the decisive Battle of Plassey. However, Clive's journey is one of the few legendary military accomplishments that began outside the realm of traditional defence mechanisms. When this young British man joined the East India Company as a humble clerk, his name was likely just one among hundreds of individuals expected to sit at a desk and deal with paperwork, without any inclination towards military service. If we delve into the pages of history, we can imagine the astonishment Clive's parents must have felt upon discovering that their child had become the architect of British colonial rule in India. Their child, who had been labelled as "difficult," frequently changed schools, and was ultimately sent to Madras as a last resort to tame his unruly behaviour, transformed himself into a prominent figure with an illustrious military career in the history of Indo-British relations.

Previously, the capital of Carnatic was situated at Gingee, and a total of twelve Nawabs ruled the region under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Khan. The last Nawab, Mohammad Sayyid, shifted the Carnatic capital to Arcot after his victory over the Marathas. The conflict between the Marathas and the Arcot Nawab persisted into the early 18th century. In 1740, Dost Ali Khan, the then Nawab, was killed along with his son in a war against the Maratha forces. Subsequently, the British forces sought to capitalise on the aftermath of the Second Carnatic War by asserting control over the waning Mughal regions. However, Chanda Sahib, aspiring to become the next Nawab and the son-in-law of Dost Ali Khan, launched an attack on Trichinapoly (Tiruchirappalli) with the support of French forces. It is within this backdrop that Robert Clive emerges, triggering a domino effect in the political history of medieval India.

Initially, Clive's rebellious nature persisted even as a new clerk, earning him a reputation as "moody and quarrelsome." He even attempted suicide and instigated a duel. Strangely, he found solace in the governor's library, where he embarked on a journey of self-education that would ultimately aid him in his future endeavours. The turning point in his life came when the French East India Company, based in Pondicherry, launched an attack on Madras in 1746, defeating the forces of the East India Company and capturing the town. Clive, along with other soldiers and company employees, was taken captive but managed to escape from their clutches along with a small group. They eventually reached St. David's Fort, located 80 kilometres away. Following this harrowing experience, Clive decided to pursue military training and abandoned his clerical job. In the face of the ongoing conflict between the French and British for control over South India, Clive began his military achievements by successfully defending Fort St. David, followed by his involvement in the Thanjavur campaign and the Second Carnatic War.

 A Painting of Fort St David; Source: Indian Vagabond

A Sketch of Clive marching towards Kanjeevaram; Source: Indian Vagabond

A Portrait of Robert Clive by Nathaniel Dance; Source: Wikimedia (Robert Clive, a replica of an oil painting by N. Dance; in the National Portrait Gallery, London)

Clive proposed advancing to defend the Arcot fort with the limited troops available, on the condition that he be allowed to lead them as a military captain. Relying solely on his guerilla warfare tactics, Clive led a small and untrained force consisting of eight officers, 300 Indian Sepoys, and around 200 European soldiers against a massive enemy force of over a thousand troops. This historical battle of determination, where the enemy held the numerical advantage but lacked loyalty and valour, resulted in the troops of Chanda Sahib abandoning the fort and fleeing for safety. The siege lasted for an impressive fifty-two days, during which the newly appointed British captain emerged victorious, capturing the Arcot fort and severing the last remnants of Mughal control over the Carnatic region of India. However, even after the Battle of Arcot, the fort was unable to protect itself from the ravages of war, as evidenced by its current ruins. The only surviving gate from the original red-brick fort, spanning an 80 kilometres circumference, is the one through which Robert Clive claimed victory in 1751. It was later named the Delhi Gate, commemorating his extraordinary and strategically unmatched triumph. This newly promoted Major-General of the British Army laid the foundation for the eventual collapse of the Mughal Empire in Delhi and the rise of British rule over the entire Indian subcontinent.

The Mughal lineage of the fort can be traced through the arched gateway, which is characteristic of Mughal architecture, as well as the solitary tomb of Saadatullah Khan I (also known as Mohammad Sayyid) and the Jamia Masjid. As a testament to his victory, Clive constructed a room directly above the arch of the gate, where he likely devised the blueprint for British colonial rule in India. Today, the gate evokes mixed emotions, proudly displaying the efficiency of a newly appointed gallant captain who left his legendary tale imprinted on its walls, while also lamenting the rise of a formidable commander who forever altered the history of our subcontinent. Standing on South Indian soil, just 20 kilometres from Vellore, the Arcot gate holds monumental status as a symbol of an Englishman who charted a new course for our lands, etching fresh lines of colonial struggles for the next 200 years.

Collage created in Canva: From Top-Left Clockwise — The Mughal Arch of the gate, The gate with the ruins of Fort visible, Robert Clive’s personal room atop the gate, a niche for the sentry to watch out, Almost dried up Palar River and The interior of Clive’s room on the gate; Source: Tamilnadu Favtourism and Trip Advisor.