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 traders—not administrators—were known, according to their seniority, as 'writers,' 'factors,' 'junior merchants,' or 'senior merchants.' Robert Clive, one of the young 'writers,' having quitted his desk and turned soldier, won the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and so founded the Indian Empire. But all the writers and merchants were not Clives; and the failure of many to carry rightly the burden of the greatness thrust upon them brought shame and disgrace upon the English name. Clive did something, and Warren Hastings—the greatest of Indian civilians—did much, to convert greedy writers and merchants into honourable officials. Lords Cornwallis and Wellesley continued the good work; and the Indian Civil Service, as an organised instrument of government, may be said to date from the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The establishment of the East India College at Haileybury, a few years later, provided facilities for the general education and professional training of the young officers