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Sieges of Tranquebar (1655–1669)
The sieges of Tranquebar (Danish; Belejringerne af Trankebar) or the War between Tranquebar and Thanjavur (Danish; Krigen mellem Trankebar og Tanjore) refers to the warfare between the Thanjavur Nayak kingdom and Danish Tranquebar between 1655 – 1669. The Thanjavurian sieges were repelled, mainly due to the new fortifications being built around Tranquebar, and a peace agreement was issued in 1669. BackgroundIn 1643 the vessel Christianshavn would arrive in Tranquebar with proclaimed governor, Willem Leyel.[1][2] Unbeknownst to the Danes in India would be that, this was the last ship from Denmark for 26 years:[3][4][5] Because of the Dano-Swedish Wars Denmark did not have the means to send any new ship to India, so Tranquebar could therefore not be assisted from Denmark.[3] This led to financial difficulties and a general lack of Danish manpower.[2] In 1648 a mutiny broke out in Tranquebar and Leyel was subsequently arrested.[2][6] He was succeeded by Poul Hansen Korsør,[a] who reigned until his death on 7 September 1655.[7] Furthermore, the first Danish East India Company was dissestablished in 1650, and the number of Danes remained only a handful.[8] Danish settlements, factories and trading routes in India from 1643–1669 Arriving together with the Christianshavn in 1643,[5][9] Eskild Kongsbakke Andersen now became the new governor of Tranquebar.[10][9] Andersen would try to preserve the economy by regularly sending ships to Makassar and Bantam, and wage privateering against the Mughal Empire.[9] SiegesThe Nayak of the Thanjavur kingdom, Vijaya Raghava, had waged war against the Gingee and Madurai and therefore needed sufficient money.[8] The Thanjavurians took advantage of a weakened Tranquebar and in 1655 demanded to raise the early tribute paid by Tranquebar.[11][12] When Tranquebar failed to fulfill this demand Raghava sent a force to besiege Tranquebar.[9] Though, Andersen defended the attack by the help of the local Indians: The number of Danish settlers in Tranquebar was very small, and it was therefore necessary to hire Portuguese mercenaries and Indian Sepoys to defend Fort Dansborg.[9] In 1660 a new siege was initiated, which would last nine months.[9][8] In response Andersen started to fortify the whole town.[13] Previously Dansborg had been the only fortified place, and the Inhabitants of Tranquebar would usually seek shelter in the fort.[12] This was now changed, and all of Tranquebar was fortified.[12] Andersen made the locals build a Curtain wall around the city, with four additional towers.[8] In May 1669 the 29-year-isolation was over with the arrival of the frigate Farø at Tranquebar.[9][11] Færø arrived with soldiers and goods under the command of Henrik Eggers.[10] As a result of Færø's arrival peace was concluded with Vijaya Raghava.[11] AftermathAs a result of the peace the nayak ceded the villages of Poreiar, Tillali and Erikutanchery, which greatly enlargened Tranquebar.[11] Meanwhile, Færø would be sent to Java to reestablish trade connections with the local sultan.[11] See also
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