This thesis investigates the records of the Dutch Factory in Japan (NFJ) of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to determine the stability of information that was produced and processed by VOC...Show moreThis thesis investigates the records of the Dutch Factory in Japan (NFJ) of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to determine the stability of information that was produced and processed by VOC servants in the early eighteenth century. To accomplish this, the information on a single event was compared using several different VOC genres that played a key role in transferring the news from Japan via Batavia to the Dutch Republic. It led to a surprising result. Rather than undergoing significant changes, the contents initially recorded by servants remained consistent when copied into new VOC genre documents.Show less
Between 1677 and 1698, Asvathi Tirunal was rani of Attingal. This is a small region in Kerala, India. In historical research, the importance of the political role of the rani in this area is often...Show moreBetween 1677 and 1698, Asvathi Tirunal was rani of Attingal. This is a small region in Kerala, India. In historical research, the importance of the political role of the rani in this area is often neglected. That is why in this thesis, the following question is answered: ‘To what extent did Asvathi Tirunal (r.1677-1698) exercise political power in South Kerala and where was this power derived from?’ By using the source material of the Dutch East India Company, the political influence of the rani was analyzed. We can conclude carefully that the rani of Attingal was able to exercise political influence in the area, mostly because of the cultivation of pepper on her lands and her role as mother of surrounding kingdoms. In this period, there was not one independent ruler in Kerala, and political power was divided between the rani, the king of Travancore and the pillamar. More research (including Indian source material) is necessary to reach a better understanding of the political power of the ranis of Attingal.Show less
Even though the Dutch East India Company (VOC) came to Asia for Asian luxury products, in Java, their main drive was a bulk, rice, which was used as the operational cost for its empire in Asia....Show moreEven though the Dutch East India Company (VOC) came to Asia for Asian luxury products, in Java, their main drive was a bulk, rice, which was used as the operational cost for its empire in Asia. After a series of wars in the past century, in 1743, the VOC managed to establish control over the majority of rice producing area in Java. This responsibility oftentimes set the VOC as the ultimate cause of the deteriorating of the once flourishing rice economy of Java. However, the accusation experienced strong challenges from the established studies telling about prosperity in the second half of 18th century Java and VOC’s minimal intervention to the island’s rice economy. This thesis examined the contradiction through an exploration towards VOC’s trading document such as the general ledger, correspondence, and reports. In the end it argues that however thin was VOC’s influence to the system, the impact was devastating for Java’s rice economy. Since 1743, VOC asked for 5000 koyangs rice, which was more than a half of Java’s total surplus from a particular region named pasisir which made only 35% of the total rice producing area in Java. This thesis also argued that in the second half of 18th century, different parts of Java experienced different states of economy. The hinterland, under the ex-Mataram states was prosperous because they did not have to bear the 5000 koyangs annual obligatory delivery, while in pasisir, workload increased without proper compensation. This phenomenon in pasisir led to the rapid growth of population, rapid deforestation for constructing rice field, for a mere stagnant surplus. The obligatory delivery cut a considerable income of the pasisir’s rice farmer, left them with no relaxation on their budget that initially could make room for innovation and technological advancement, which were why, in the 18th century pasisir rice farmer re-practiced frugal extensification as what their ancestor did eight century ago.Show less
This thesis consists of a research on the information networks within the VOC. Within the paper an analysis is made on how violent events affecting the VOC are portrayed within their sources. Did...Show moreThis thesis consists of a research on the information networks within the VOC. Within the paper an analysis is made on how violent events affecting the VOC are portrayed within their sources. Did the contents of these sources and discription about the event change as the information passed higher in the hierarchy of the VOC? How was the use of violence justified? And which role do archival genres play in describing the violence? These questions are answered by means of two case studies. First about the massacre of the Chinese in Batavia in 1740. Second about the uprising on Ceylon in 1760 by Kandy.Show less
