The Dutch in Bengal, C. 1650–1707 and Their Relations with Local Mughal Administration

Abstract

This article studies Dutch East India Company’s interest in Bengal and their relations with local Mughal officials during the seventeenth century. The Dutch faced constant problems with the local officials. The Dutch tried to win favour from the Mughal Emperor in order to carry on its trade smoothly. Therefore, they procured farmans (royal decree issued by emperor) from the Mughal Emperor to reduce custom duties or sought imperial protection and patronage for safe passage of their goods from place to place and very helpful orders (parwanas, nishans) from several succeeding Subahdars which put the Dutch position in Bengal on a firmer footing. In spite of Imperial farmans and grants, local officials along the Hugli were inclined to hinder the Dutch vessels carrying grain, opium, saltpetre and sugar. However, the Dutch could overcome these difficulties with their own brand of commercial diplomacy, sometimes using threats, at other times with presents and bribes. Seldom did they interfere in the politics of Bengal, preferring always to focus on their trade. Like the Dutch, other European companies were also traded there and established factories in the region of Bengal. The most effectual weapons in the hands of the Company were the system of ‘passports’. Under this system, the European companies insisted that local traders intending to send ships to other ports whether in India or abroad must first obtain their permission in a document called the ‘passport’ or the ‘pass’.