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The second of the colonizers in Kochi, the Dutch aimed to conquer Kochi after their occupation of Ceylon in 1658. After some unsuccessful campaigns, the Dutch wrested Kochi from the Portugese in 1663.
The Dutch flourished till the advent of the British. The Dutch treaties with the local King, the Raja of Kochi, made the royalty a figurative head with no say on how the Fort was ruled. The factory within the fort was then used for trade and commerce of the Dutch East India Company, the main power in Dutch trade.
The vestiges of Dutch colonialism include the Mattanchery Dutch Palace, the Bolghatty Palace, the Dutch cemetery, the tomb of Vasco Da Gama, many Dutch mansions and churches.
Poovath Hotel, itself a Dutch Palace, is located just next to the Dutch cemetery. The cemetery is maintained by the CSI (Church of South India). Many illustrious people of yore lie buried here. |
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