Background and the events leading up to the battle of Colachel :
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| Anizham Thirunal Veerabaala Marthanda Varma |
The majority of peppers imported by the Dutch into their country originated from the kingdom of Kayamkulam. When Marthanda Varma ascended to the throne of the small kingdom of Venad, he implemented a policy of assimilating neighboring kingdoms into the expanding kingdom of Travancore. Through a series of battles, Marthanda Varma successfully annexed the kingdoms of Attingal and Quilon. Utilizing the pretext of the Rajah of Kayamkulam's alleged involvement in conspiracies against him, Marthanda Varma initiated a military campaign against Kayamkulam with the aim of incorporating it into Travancore.
This military campaign posed a threat to the interests of the Dutch East India Company, as they feared that the British, who had already established a treaty with Marthanda Varma, would gain control over the lucrative pepper trade in the Malabar region, thus ending the Dutch monopoly. In light of this concern, the Dutch Governor Van Imhoff corresponded with Marthanda Varma, demanding an end to the aggression against Kayamkulam. In response, Marthanda Varma firmly instructed Van Imhoff not to interfere in matters that were beyond his purview. Subsequently, the Governor personally met with the Maharajah and issued a threat of war against Travancore, asserting the superiority of the Dutch East India Company. The meeting concluded with a confrontational statement from the Maharajah, highlighting the safety of the forests in Travancore where he and his people could seek refuge if attacked by the "superior" power. Additionally, he claimed to have contemplated an invasion of Europe with the assistance of his fishermen. This tense encounter ultimately led to the outbreak of the Travancore-Dutch War.
In 1741, the Dutch defied Marthanda Varma's demands by appointing a princess from the Elayadathu Swarupam as the ruler of Kottarakara. However, the Travancore army emerged victorious in a decisive battle against the combined forces of Kottarakara and the Dutch, leading to the assimilation of Kottarakara into Travancore. As a result, the Dutch were compelled to retreat to Cochin. In the aftermath, Marthanda Varma successfully seized control of all the Dutch forts in the region.
The Battle :
After facing significant losses in the war, Dutch marines from Ceylon, led by Flemish Captain Eustachius De Lannoy, landed in Kulachal to seize the capital of Travancore, Padmanabhapuram. They managed to capture territory up to Padmanabhapuram and laid siege to the Kalkulam fort, prompting Marthanda Varma to march south with his army to prevent its capture.
The confrontation between the Dutch and Marthanda Varma's forces culminated in a battle on August 10, 1741, resulting in a resounding victory for Marthanda Varma. The Dutch suffered heavy losses, with 24 officers, including Eustachius De Lannoy and his second in command, Donadi, being taken as prisoners of war along with a significant number of soldiers.
Impact of the Battle :
Prof Sreedhara Menon highlighted the battle of Colachel as a major setback for the Dutch, marking the end of their ambitions to dominate Kerala. Despite backing Travancore's adversaries in conflicts like the battle of Ambalapuzha in 1756, the Dutch suffered a decisive defeat at Colachel, weakening their influence along the Malabar coast. Following peace agreements with Travancore, the Dutch forts were eventually handed over and incorporated into the Nedumkotta lines.
The destruction of the Dutch East India Company's plans in the Malabar coast was not the only significant outcome of the capture of Eustachius De Lannoy and Donadi. Their subsequent service with the kingdom of Travancore proved to be highly advantageous. De Lannoy's efforts in modernizing the Travancore Army, equipping them with firearms and artillery, and introducing European military tactics were pivotal in transforming the army into a formidable fighting force. His dedication and efficiency led to his rapid promotion to the position of "Valia Kapitaan" (Commander in Chief) of the Travancore military, with the Udayagiri Fort being bestowed upon him as his residence.
De Lannoy's strategic prowess was evident during the crucial battle of Ambalapuzha, where he played a key role as one of the commanders of the Travancore army. Following Travancore's triumph over Cochin and her allies, the Dutch signed a peace treaty with Travancore, leading to the incorporation of their forts into the Northern Lines by De Lannoy. These forts, including the renowned Nedumkotta, designed by De Lannoy, played a crucial role in halting the advance of Tipu Sultan's French-trained army during the Third Anglo-Mysore War. The legacy of De Lannoy's contributions to the modernization and expansion of the Travancore military endured, as they went on to conquer a significant portion of the present-day state of Kerala, showcasing the lasting impact of his strategic vision and military expertise.
The Raja's army during the battle of Colachel was greatly strengthened by the presence of his personal guard, known as the Nair Pattalam or the Travancore Nair Brigade. This formidable unit played a crucial role in the battle and showcased their exceptional skills and loyalty. In a significant turn of events, the Nair Pattalam was later incorporated into the Indian Army as the 9th Battalion Madras Regiment and the 16th Battalion Madras Regiment in 1954, solidifying their legacy and contribution to the military.
The aftermath of the battle at Kulachal had far-reaching consequences, particularly for the black pepper trade in the region. The state of Travancore emerged as a dominant force in this trade, which had significant implications for the Dutch and the overall trading landscape of Kerala. In 1753, the Dutch and the Raja signed the Treaty of Mavelikkara, which not only allowed the Raja's expansion but also obligated the Dutch to supply him with arms and ammunition. This agreement marked the decline of Dutch influence in India, as the VOC eventually ceased their rule in India in 1795 after the English conquest of the Kingdom of Kochi.
