The EIC's Forgotten Ally: The Dutch Governor Who Saved Madras

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the little-known story of how the Dutch Governor of Negapatam, Jan van der Heiden, helped the English East India Company survive a desperate siege in 1746. When the French under La Bourdonnais captured Madras, the English fled to Fort St. David, but the French navy blockaded the coast. Van der Heiden, defying orders from the Dutch East India Company (VOC), secretly supplied the English with provisions and even allowed them to use Dutch ships to evacuate. It was a risky gamble that paid off—the English managed to hold on until reinforcements arrived. But why did van der Heiden help? Was it simply good business, or did he foresee that a French victory would threaten Dutch interests in India? We also examine the broader context of the War of the Austrian Succession in India, the rivalry between the French and English companies, and how this forgotten act of Dutch neutrality helped shape the future of British rule. #EastIndiaCompany #DutchEastIndiaCompany #VOC #Madras #Negapatam #JanVanDerHeiden #LaBourdonnais #SiegeOfMadras1746 #FortStDavid #CarnaticWars #WarOfTheAustrianSuccession #IndiaHistory #ColonialHistory #BritishEmpire #TradeHistory #History #FexingoHistory #ForgottenHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo