Do you know why the Dutch didn't rule India though they were the earliest European invaders?
It happened when the biggest and the most valuable company in the history of the world was brought down (among other things) by a royal Malayalee from India. There was a moment in history when the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC) or simply the Dutch East India Company was the most well funded and powerful business, military and naval force in the world.
Established in 1602, it had a virtual monopoly of the global spice trade for most of the 17th century and was the first truly multinational corporation in history. It had a great run, more successful and profitable, paying on an average, an 18% dividend for almost 200 years. Adjusted to inflation, it had the market capitalisation of over 7 trillion $ (in today's money) - making it perhaps, the most valuable company in the history of companies.
The Dutch made most of their money from India - by the early 18th century, the Dutch economic and political power in southern India was at its peak. The Dutch had thrown the Portuguese out, defeated the mighty Zamorins of Calicut and even sadly turned the powerful kingdom of Kochi into a vassal state where the crown even bore the Dutch emblem of VOC.
The Dutch East India Company is dead today - in large parts, thsanks to this patriotic powerful Indian from Kerala.
Among the many mistakes that ultimately led to their downfall; perhaps the biggest was committed by the Dutch Governor Gustaaf Willem Van Imhoff in 1739. During the ensuing negotiations between Governor Imhoff and Marthanda Varma, the former had said that his forces will rake Travancore down to dust. In his reply, Varma quipped simply, "With all due respect to you sir, then I will certainly invade Holland, mark my words".
Obviously miffed, the Governor of the mighty Dutch empire walked off from the meeting, determined to teach this local king of a small kingdom a lesson. Soon, a large contingent of Dutch artillery forces landed in Colachel, led by Captain Eustachius De Lannoy. Their intention was to make a quick dash and capture the capital of Travancore - Padmanabhapuram.
On 10 Aug 1941, both the armies met each other in the now famous 'Battle of Colachel'. Within no time, the Dutch faced a crushing and decisive defeat - most of their soldiers fled and their commander. Eustace De Lannoy was captured along with his deputy. Marthanda Varma forced the Dutch to sign a peace treaty, taking over most of Dutch forts in the Malabar region of India and bringing to an end, the Dutch monopoly in the Spice Trade with India.
What's more, Marthanda Varma even made Eustace De Lannoy join his forces as a trainer and used him to modernise the Army of Travancore - which later became the Madras Regiment of independent India.
The Dutch black pepper trade monopoly was taken over by the state of Travancore, which made them rich then and now! In case you wonder how rich - Marthanda Varma re-consecrated an old temple of Lord Vishnu (Padmanabhaswamy) and regularly donated to it during his lifetime.
Recently, 5 of the 8 sealed chamber vaults of this temple were opened by the authorities - which yielded a 'small' treasure in gold and jewels, estimated to be worth over US $ 22 billion (making it the richest institution and place of worship in the world). Experts believe that the remaining vaults hold treasures worth a trillion dollars.
While Marthanda Varma, an Indian, had his life moment in world history, our disgraceful Indian historians didn't think of his achievements important enough to even deserve a mention in our school textbooks.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.
Spoke to Dharamvir Singh, my friend and course mate settled down at Panchkula, after what seemed to be a long time. It was nice catching up with him.
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