Unearthing Indic History: Intriguing Stories from the Past
The Battle of Colachel
In 1905, the Japanese defeated the Russians in the Russo-Japanese war, thus marking a rare military victory of an eastern power over a western power and helped set the stage for World War-I. Before this famous (or infamous?) victory, any idea when and where did an eastern power enforce the surrender of a western power in a full-blown military conflict? Read more to find out !
The Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC) or the Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602 CE, and by the eighteenth century it had grown to become the most prominent European colonial power in the eastern world. A combination of smart economics (several, including being the first publicly listed company etc.) and colonial ruthlessness ensured their successive victories over much of Southeast Asia and most importantly, Sri Lanka. They were poised to take over the Indian subcontinent and had already started building forts and influencing the politics of various kingdoms in the southern regions of India. Most European companies, including the VOC, were enticed by ‘Black Gold’ (pepper) and wanted to monopolize its trade in Kerala through methods that involved the subjugation and intimidation of the local chiefdoms. During one such episode in the southern tip of Kerala, around the area of modern-day Kollam, they faced a man, who even in his twenties was seen as a firm administrator of a rising power in the region.
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma of the kingdom of Venad (later Travancore) ascended the throne during a time of transcendental turmoil. Following marumakkathayam (Matrilineal succession), he inherited the kingdom from a flailing king whose power was maligned by several other power centers like Yoggakar, the Ettuveetil Pillamar and the Madampimar (Local Landlords). Marthanda Varma and his team of trusted compatriots, including the dewan (Prime Minister), the commander-in-chief, and the palace Rayasom (Under Secretary) Ramayya Dalawa (who will play an integral role in the battle of colachel) set to work. They strengthened the army, suppressed internal revolts, consolidated and centralized the power structure and finally, extended the boundaries of the kingdom. For instance, in 1734 CE, the dethroned ex-elites allied with the rajas of Kayamkulam, Parakkad, Vadakkumkur and Kochi, who had come to an agreement to support each other in the eventuality of an attack from Travancore (Not much unlike the present day NATO). The confederacy had placed a strong army and had considerable success as well. Despite initial setbacks and a couple of tactical retreats, Marthanda Varma managed to expand his kingdom northwards and fortified the boundaries of his kingdom. This aggressive and expansionist attitude of the Travancore definitely didn’t go well with the Dutch, who by this time, had their claws entrenched into the politics of Kerala, due to their interest in controlling the production and trade of one specific commodity, pepper.
Fissures in the Dutch-Travancore relationship stemmed from the same issue. Starting as a small principality of Venad, a united and larger Tranvancore kingdom was starting to shape up under Marthanda Varma and this alarmed the Dutch. In 1737, Mathanda Varma marched in and conquered Kottarakara (Elayadath Swaroopam), which was one of the largest pepper producing regions in Kerala and a treaty bound ally of the Dutch. He then put its chief Vira Kerala Varma into solitary confinement in Travancore. The Dutch grew increasingly uncomfortable with Travancore infringing upon their pepper resources and denying VOC their ill gotten privileges and concessions. It was just a matter of time before an all out battle broke out between the two. Interestingly, the spark for the conflict was lit when Vira Kerala Varma died and the ensuing tussle for succession.
The Dutch governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Gustaaf Willem VanImhoff, came to Cochin and insisted on the princess of Elayadath Swaroopam to retain the territory and ascend the throne. For obvious reasons, this was unacceptable to Marthanda Varma as he saw it as an incursion into his sovereignty. VanImhoff was insistent on his stance since it was imperative for the VOC to show its superiority over the local rulers and other competing trading companies like the French and English East India Company. VanImhoff tried to reach a diplomatic solution to this crisis, but Marthanda Varma was having none of it. In fact, during one of their meetings, he threatened to invade Netherlands with his munchees (small boats) and fishermen, in case the Dutch tried to force their hand at Kottarakkara! Obviously Marthanda Varma underestimated the naval power of the Dutch, however VanImhoff also knew that the cost of battle in the Travancore hills would be too steep.
By 1741 CE, all hopes for an amicable settlement was lost and the Dutch finally decided to anoint the princess as the next ruler of kottarakara and received huge swaths of land and other advantages from her, in return. Summoning all his troops, Marthanda Varma and his newly appointed Dalawa, Ramayyen, stormed the Dutch forts in and around Travancore and decimated the entire Dutch regiment posted in Kottarakkara. The Dutch called in for further reinforcements from Ceylon (Modern day Sri Lanka).
Enter Captain Eustachius De Lannoy.
De Lannoy, hailing from an immigrant noble family, joined the Dutch East India Company at a really young age. Over time, he developed expertise in the construction of Buildings for defense like forts, walls etc. On the 26th of November in 1740 CE, he and his troops arrived at the Colachel coast and bombarded it. He later set up camp near the port and proceeded to capture the nearby out-posts. In the forthcoming months, further reinforcements of several large ships and other smaller vessels arrived to effectively control the newly gained territories. Meanwhile, a new threat loomed for the Travancore empire from the east.
The Carnatic Sultanate, was a kingdom under the legal jurisdiction of the Nizam of Hyderabad, who ruled over large parts of south Andhra and Tamilnadu. They saw an opportunity to invade Travancore and raided Nagercoil and Suchindram, important towns in the borders of the empire. Ramayya Dalawa, who led the Travancore forces, suffered defeat. Realizing that it was vital to dedicate energy and resources towards defeating the bigger enemy, the Dutch, Marthanda Varma took the diplomatic route and recovered his territory, even if it came at the cost of hundred and twenty thousand gold coins. Despite the debacle, he trusted Ramayya Dalawa to deal with the Dutch situation as well.
Meanwhile, the Dutch and their allies invaded the empire from the north and awaited for further troops from Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka). So, it was imperative that the Dutch progress from the South was prevented. So, Marthanda Varma raised an additional Nair troop from the local Kalaris, in addition to the existing border troops. Furthermore, he received support from the Mukkuvars (fisherman), who were effective in implementing several guerilla tactics, like sinking several Dutch ships docked on the shore, working as intelligence agents and misdirecting the naive Dutch soldiers. These strategies adopted by the king effectively stymied the progress of the Dutch reinforcements from Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, a sustained offshore battle ensued along the coast of Colachel with multiple offenses from both the Dutch and the Tranvancore army.
According to most sources, on 31st July 1741, the Travancore army fired a cannon on a Dutch platoon which fell on their gunpowder stockpile. This set off a massive fire that completely destroyed the whole garrison and food supplies. In desperation, De Lannoy and his troops surrendered to the Travancore forces upon the promise that they would be allowed to return to Kanyakumari. Marthanda Varma, being the realist that he was, promptly captured all the 24 Europeans and prisoned them in the Udayagiri Fort.
Thus, the battle of Colachel resulted in the Travancore forces enforcing a complete surrender of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and proved to be the defining moment in the Travancore-Dutch war. The VOC could never completely recover from this debacle, and had to give up their expansion plans in India. Up until this point in Southern India, the Dutch had their representatives among the royalty of almost every major kingdom and exerted much influence in trade, perhaps even more than the British and French. This defeat marked the beginning of the Dutch to retreat and refocus their colonization strategy to Southeast Asia.
With this incredible victory, Marthanda Varma and his Dalawa Ramayyen, further established the emergence of the Travancore empire from a minor chiefdom to a major empire and trading power that spanned over most of the southern tip of India. A leader is often is simply as successful as the people around them, and Marthanda Varma along with his Dalawa, Ramayyen and future captain, De Lannoy, who helped Travancore to fortify its northern borders (which proved to pivotal when years later Tipu Sultan came down south after his rampage over Malabar). This, despite Ramayyen heading a battle that ended in defeat and De Lannoy, who was literally the defeated commander in Colachel.
The leadership of Marthanda Varma, combined with the strategic acumen of Ramayyen and De Lannoy, transformed Travancore. Despite initial setbacks, they learnt from their experiences, adapted their strategies, and emerged stronger. Their legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding that success is not just about winning battles, but also about the wisdom gained from defeat. Their story is a testament to the enduring power of leadership, strategy, and resilience.
History is a continuum from which narratives are shaped. Indian Victories are often underplayed and presented as inconsequential in the larger scheme of history. We, as decedents of probably the only major surviving pagan culture of the world, have the responsibility of preserving and promoting our rich heritage. These victories, no matter how small or large, have shaped the course of our civilization and contributed to our cultural diversity. It is through this understanding and appreciation of our past that we can truly shape a future that is respectful of its roots and open to its possibilities. As the popular adage goes, If we don’t understand where we are coming from, how will we appreciate where we are going?, and that is precisely the reason we need to continue with our efforts. Remembering our Civilisational heroes is our Dharma, and Marthanda Varma, was certainly one.
Aravind Ananthakrishnan, EC21B1112: I am a student of Carnatic Vocal and Mridangam. I have also learnt Sanskrit and am constantly in the run to further my understanding of the same. I like to read up on our history, culture and traditions as I believe that understanding how we became who we are, will certainly shape how we want our future to be.
