Dutch Malacca
Encyclopedia
Dutch Malacca was the longest period of Malacca
under foreign control. The Dutch ruled for almost 183 years with intermittent British occupation during the Napoleonic Wars
( 1795–1818 ). This era saw relative peace with little serious interruption from the Malay kingdoms due to the understanding earlier on forged between the Dutch and Sultanate of Johor in 1606. This time also marked the decline of the importance of Malacca. The Dutch preferred Batavia (present day Jakarta
) as their economic and administrative center in the region and their hold in Malacca was to prevent the loss of the city to other European powers and subsequently the competition that would naturally come with it. Thus in the 17th century, with Malacca ceased to be an important port, the Johor Sultanate became the dominant local power in the region, due to the opening of its ports and the alliance with the Dutch.
(Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC) began the campaign to destroy Portuguese power in the East. At that time, the Portuguese had transformed Malacca into an impregnable fortress (the Fortaleza de Malaca
, controlling access to the sea lanes of the Straits of Malacca and the spice trade there. The Dutch started by launching small incursions and skirmishes against the Portuguese. The first serious attempt was the siege of Malacca in 1606 by the third VOC fleet from Holland with eleven ships, led by Admiral Cornelis Matelief de Jonge
that lead to the naval battle of Cape Rachado
. Although the Dutch were routed, the Portuguese fleet of Don Martin d'Alphonso de Castro,
the Viceroy of Goa; suffered heavier casualties and the battle rallied the forces of the Sultanate of Johor in an alliance with the Dutch and later on with the Acehnese.
The Dutch with their local allies assaulted and wrested Malacca from the Portuguese in January 1641. This combined Dutch-Johor-Aceh efforts effectively destroyed the last bastion of Portuguese power, removing their influence in the Malay archipelago. As per the agreement with Johor in 1606, the Dutch took control of Malacca and agreed not to seek territories or wage war with the Malay kingdoms.
The Dutch improved and expanded the Portuguese fortress
and built walls to protect the harbor and expanded city. During their rule the famous city hall or Stadthuys
was also constructed, which still stands today.
Malacca Town
Most tourist attractions are concentrated in its small city centre which encompasses Jonker Walk which houses Malacca's traditional Chinatown that exhibits Peranakan architecture. A Famosa Fort, St. Paul Hill are among the tourist attractions located in the Bandar Hilir, old city area. There are...
under foreign control. The Dutch ruled for almost 183 years with intermittent British occupation during the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
( 1795–1818 ). This era saw relative peace with little serious interruption from the Malay kingdoms due to the understanding earlier on forged between the Dutch and Sultanate of Johor in 1606. This time also marked the decline of the importance of Malacca. The Dutch preferred Batavia (present day Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
) as their economic and administrative center in the region and their hold in Malacca was to prevent the loss of the city to other European powers and subsequently the competition that would naturally come with it. Thus in the 17th century, with Malacca ceased to be an important port, the Johor Sultanate became the dominant local power in the region, due to the opening of its ports and the alliance with the Dutch.
Dutch conquest of Portuguese Malacca
In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India CompanyDutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
(Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, VOC) began the campaign to destroy Portuguese power in the East. At that time, the Portuguese had transformed Malacca into an impregnable fortress (the Fortaleza de Malaca
A Famosa
A Famosa is a Portuguese fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing....
, controlling access to the sea lanes of the Straits of Malacca and the spice trade there. The Dutch started by launching small incursions and skirmishes against the Portuguese. The first serious attempt was the siege of Malacca in 1606 by the third VOC fleet from Holland with eleven ships, led by Admiral Cornelis Matelief de Jonge
Cornelis Matelief de Jonge
Cornelis Matelief , was a Dutch admiral who was active in establishing Dutch power in Southeast Asia during the beginning of the 17th century . His fleet was officially on a trading mission, but its true intent was to try to destroy Portuguese power in the area. The ships had 1400 men on board,...
that lead to the naval battle of Cape Rachado
Battle of Cape Rachado
The Battle of Cape Rachado, off the present day Malaccan exclave of Tanjung Tuan in 1606, was an important naval engagement between the Dutch Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie and Portuguese fleets....
. Although the Dutch were routed, the Portuguese fleet of Don Martin d'Alphonso de Castro,
the Viceroy of Goa; suffered heavier casualties and the battle rallied the forces of the Sultanate of Johor in an alliance with the Dutch and later on with the Acehnese.
The Dutch with their local allies assaulted and wrested Malacca from the Portuguese in January 1641. This combined Dutch-Johor-Aceh efforts effectively destroyed the last bastion of Portuguese power, removing their influence in the Malay archipelago. As per the agreement with Johor in 1606, the Dutch took control of Malacca and agreed not to seek territories or wage war with the Malay kingdoms.
Administration of Malacca
Malacca was controlled as a colony of the VOC. All the chief administrators of Malacca were Dutch governors except for the brief period that the city was under British Residents during the Wars of Napoleon. The governors and residents list is as follows:Governors of Malacca
| Governors | From | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Johan van Twist | 1641 | 1642 |
| Jeremias van Vliet | 1642 | 1645 |
| Arnout de Vlamingh van Oudtshoorn | 1645 | 1646 |
| Jan Thyszoon Payart | 1646 | 1662 |
| Jan Anthonisz van Riebeeck Jan van Riebeeck Johan Anthoniszoon "Jan" van Riebeeck was a Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town.-Biography:... |
1662 | 1665 |
| Balthasar Bort | 1665 | 1679 |
| Jacob Joriszoon Pits | 1679 | 1680 |
| Cornelis van Quaelberg | 1680 | 1684 |
| Nikolaas Schaghen | 1684 | 1686 |
| Dirk Komans (1st time) | 1686 | 1686 |
| Thomas Slicher | 1686 | 1691 |
| Dirk Komans (2nd time) | 1691 | 1692 |
| Gelmer Vosberg | 1692 | 1697 |
| Goevert van Hoorn | 1697 | 1700 |
| Bernhard Phoonsen | 1700 | 1704 |
| Johan Grotenhuys (acting) | 1704 | 1704 |
| Karel Bolner | 1704 | 1707 |
| Pieter Rooselaar | 1707 | 1709 |
| Willem Six | 1709 | 1711 |
| Willem Moerman | 1711 | 1717 |
| Herman van Suchtelen | 1717 | 1726 |
| Johan Frederik Gobius | 1726 | 1730 |
| Pieter Rochus Pasques de Chavonnes | 1730 | 1735 |
| Roger de Lavez | 1735 | 1741 |
| Willem Bernard Albinus | 1741 | 1748 |
| Pieter van Heemskerk | 1748 | 1753 |
| Willem Dekker | 1753 | 1758 |
| David Boelen | 1758 | 1764 |
| Thomas Schippers | 1764 | 1771 |
| Jan Crans | 1771 | 1775 |
| Pieter Gerardus de Bruijn | 1775 | 1788 |
| Abraham Couperus | 1788 | 1795 |
British occupation
| Residents | From | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Archibald Brown | 1795 | 1795 |
| Thomas Parr | 1795 | 1796 |
| Richard Tolson | 1796 | 1797 |
| David Campbell | 1797 | 1798 |
| Aldwell Taylor | 1798 | 1803 |
| Willem Jacob Cranssen -Dutch Governor | 1802 | |
| William Farquhar William Farquhar Major-General William Farquhar was an employee of the East India Company, and the first Resident of colonial Singapore.-Early life:Farquhar was born at Newhall, Aberdeenshire, near Aberdeen in 1774, and joined the East India Company as a cadet when he was 17... |
1803 | 1818 |
Restoration to the Dutch
| Governors | From | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Jan Samuel Timmermann Thijssen | 1818 | 1822 |
| A. Koek (acting) | 1822 | 1824 |
| Hendrik Stephanus van Son | 1824 | 1825 |
Stad en Kasteel Malacca
A Famosa
A Famosa is a Portuguese fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing....
and built walls to protect the harbor and expanded city. During their rule the famous city hall or Stadthuys
Stadthuys
The Stadthuys , also known as the Red Square, is a historical structure situated in the heart of Malacca Town, the administrative capital of the state of Malacca, Malaysia...
was also constructed, which still stands today.