The Dutch Conquest of Ceylon: Cinnamon and Colonial War

In the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) set its sights on the island of Ceylon, modern-day Sri Lanka, a land rich in cinnamon and strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean. This episode charts the VOC's military campaigns against the Portuguese and the Kingdom of Kandy, from the capture of Batticaloa in 1638 to the fall of Colombo in 1656. We explore the brutal siege of Galle, the role of native ruler Rajasinha II, and the transition from Portuguese to Dutch control. Learn how the VOC established a monopoly on cinnamon, the harsh labor conditions on cinnamon gardens, and the lasting impact on Ceylon's society, including the introduction of Roman-Dutch law. Through the eyes of Governors like Rijckloff van Goens and the writings of Baldaeus, we uncover a forgotten chapter of Dutch colonialism that reshaped the island's history. #VOC #Ceylon #Cinnamon #DutchColonialism #SriLanka #RajasinhaII #Batticaloa #Galle #Colombo #RomanDutchLaw #SpiceTrade #PortugueseEmpire #RijckloffvanGoens #Baldaeus #Kandy #ColonialHistory #History #FexingoHistory #DutchHistory #GoldenAge Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo