Dutch in India

Dutch is a little-known European language that is often overlooked by English speakers in India. In this article, we will discuss some basic facts about Dutch in India, including its history and present use. We will also explore why more people don’t learn Dutch in India, and how you can get started learning this unique language today!

A Brief Note On Establishment of the Dutch Dominion

The Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602, and it was granted a charter by the Dutch government to establish a colony in the East Indies. The company’s first settlement was in Batavia, which is now Jakarta, Indonesia.In 1627, the company established a base at Pulicat, which is now in Tamil Nadu, India. The Dutch soon began to expand their operations in India, and by the mid-17th century, they had settlements at Cochin, Pulicat, Masulipatnam, Surat, and Bombay.

The Dutch were not the only Europeans present in India at this time; the English and the Portuguese also had colonies there.However, the Dutch were the most powerful European presence in India. They had a monopoly on the spice trade, and they also controlled much of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes. The Dutch East India Company was very wealthy, and it wielded a great deal of political power in Europe.

Rise of the Dutch

The Dutch first arrived in India in the early 1600s as part of the Dutch East India Company. The company was looking to establish trade routes and colonies in Asia, and soon the Dutch presence was felt from Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) to Indonesia. In India, they focused their energies on three main areas: Bengal, Madras, and Bombay.

The Dutch East India Company was very successful in Bengal, where they established a base at Chinsurah. They quickly became the dominant European power in the region, eclipsing the Portuguese and English. The Dutch were also very active in the spice trade in Southeast Asia and had a near-monopoly on the pepper trade.

In Madras, the Dutch East India Company established a factory at Pulicat in 1609. However, they were not able to gain a foothold in the region and eventually pulled out of Madras in 1658.

Dutch Coinage 

Dutch influence in India can also be seen in the coinage used during the 18th century. Dutch coins were commonly used alongside English and Portuguese coins. The Dutch East India Company even minted its coins, called “The guilder” (also “doit”). These suits were made of copper and were worth about a quarter of a stuiver. The Dutch also minted “lion dollars”, which were worth about two and a half times a suit. Lion dollars were made of silver and bore the image of a lion on one side and the Dutch East India Company’s monogram on the other.

In addition to coins, the Dutch also used paper money in India. This paper money was called “banknotes” and was issued by the Dutch East India Company. Banknotes were used for large purchases or payments and could be exchanged for gold or silver coins at the Dutch East India Company’s treasury.

The Decline of Dutch Power

The Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602 and quickly rose to prominence, playing a major role in the spice trade between Europe and Asia. However, by the early 18th century, the company’s power had begun to decline. This was due in part to competition from other European powers such as the British and French, but also because of problems within the company itself. In 1795, the Dutch Republic was conquered by the French Revolutionary Army and became a satellite state of France. The French allowed the Dutch East India Company to continue operating, but with greatly reduced power. In 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the company entirely.

The end of the Dutch East India Company led to the decline of Dutch power in India. The Dutch had been one of the major European powers in India, but they were now eclipsed by the British and French. The Dutch language also began to decline in India. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Hindi and English became increasingly popular, while Dutch remained mostly confined to the small number of Dutch settlers in India. By the early 20th century, Dutch was rarely spoken in India and was mostly confined to a few isolated communities.

Conclusion

Dutch in India is an interesting topic to explore from a historical perspective. The interactions between the Dutch and Indian people have left a lasting legacy on both sides that is worth studying. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, I suggest looking into primary sources such as government documents or personal journals written by those who were involved in the encounters. There are also many secondary sources available that provide a good overview of the history of the Dutch in India. Whichever route you choose, I hope you find the information engaging and thought-provoking!