In 1741, Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, a Dutch naval commander, received orders from the Dutch East India Company to lead a naval expedition aimed at seizing Colachel, a port held by Travancore, and setting up a trading outpost in the area.
Read More About Captain De Lannoy & The Battle of Colachel here :
1. Captain De Lannoy
2. The Battle of Colachel
 |
| Eustachius De Lannoy's Surrender at the Battle of Colachel |
Following the Battle of Colachel, the Travancore forces emerged victorious over the Dutch forces led by De Lannoy. Many Dutch soldiers were either killed or captured, including De Lannoy, his assistant Donadi, and a few others who were imprisoned. De Lannoy and his men were later pardoned by the king under the condition that they serve in the Travancore army. De Lannoy eventually gained the king's trust and rose to become the commander of the Travancore armed forces, successfully leading many battles and expanding Travancore's territories through annexation. It was during their time serving under the king that Devasahayam Pillai and De Lannoy developed a close relationship, with De Lannoy's Christian faith intriguing Devasahayam and ultimately leading to his conversion in 1745.
 |
| Ancient Colachel Port |
Read More About Captain De Lannoy & The Battle of Colachel here :
1. Captain De Lannoy
2. The Battle of Colachel
