The Dutch East India Company, or VOC, began operations in India in 1605 with a factory in Masulipatnam. Backed by the Dutch government, it rose as a major trading power by outpacing the Portuguese in the 17th century. Though commercially successful for decades, it was defeated in key battles and declined by the late 18th century, finally dissolving in 1800.

BulletsIn

• Dutch East India Company (VOC) founded in 1602 with war, trade powers
• First Indian factory in Masulipatnam (1605), followed by Pulicat, Surat, Chinsurah
• Replaced Portuguese in spice, textile trade; dominant in 17th-century India
• Main trade goods: indigo, textiles, saltpetre, opium, rice, silk
• Built key forts: Fort Geldria (Pulicat), Nagapattinam, Cochin
• Peak in 1669 with 50,000 employees, 150 merchant ships, 10,000 troops
• Defeated Portuguese in Ceylon (1656), took Cape of Good Hope (1652)
• Lost influence after Battle of Colachel (1741) against Travancore
• English defeated Dutch at Battle of Hooghly (1759), ending Dutch India ambitions
• Company dissolved in 1800; retained power in Indonesia longer