Roger Drake (colonial administrator) facts for kids
Roger Drake (born around 1721 or 1722) was a British leader in a big trading company called the British East India Company. He was the main boss at Fort William in Bengal from 1752 to 1756. Later, he was criticized for what he did during the Siege of Calcutta in 1756.
About Roger Drake
Roger Drake was born in 1721 or 1722. His uncle, also named Roger Drake, was a rich businessman and an important leader in the East India Company.
Roger Drake joined the East India Company. He arrived in Bengal on May 26, 1737. He worked his way up in the company. On August 8, 1752, he became the President of Fort William. This meant he was the top leader there.
In April 1756, a new ruler named Siraj ud-Daulah became the Nawab of Bengal. He was upset because he felt the British company was misusing its special trading rules. He asked both the French and British companies to remove their defensive walls and buildings at Chandannagar and Calcutta.
The French company replied carefully. They said they were only fixing old buildings. But Drake replied that he was making the defenses stronger. He said this was in case of a war with France. Siraj ud-Daulah thought Drake's answer was rude. He then started planning to punish the company.
On June 16, 1756, Siraj ud-Daulah came to Calcutta with a large army. It had about 30,000 soldiers. Within four days, the town and Fort William were captured. During this attack, called a siege, Drake left his post. He went with some other officers to safety on ships nearby. These ships were carrying women and children. Later, people who saw it said that his ship was even shot at by the men he left behind.
Because Drake left, John Zephaniah Holwell took charge. He led the defense until they had to surrender on the evening of June 20. After the fort was captured, Calcutta was attacked and robbed. The Europeans who were left were held in a terrible prison called the Black Hole of Calcutta.
Drake was disgraced because of his actions during the Siege of Calcutta. An investigation was held to look into what he did. The company officially removed him from his job on November 13, 1757. Robert Clive took over as Governor after him. Clive later recaptured Calcutta after the Battle of Plassey. This battle helped the East India Company gain strong control in India.
Even though he was disgraced, Drake still became rich. He received money from Mir Jafar after the Battle of Plassey. In 1759, Drake went back to England. He returned with eight other company officials and a lot of money.
Family Life
Roger Drake married Mary Coales on January 10, 1743. They had a daughter named Millicent. Mary died on October 6, 1749. After her death, he married her sister, Martha Coales. With Martha, he had three more children: Roger, Richard, and Nathaniel.
