Consider the following statements with reference to the Anglo-Dutch r...
Introduction to Anglo-Dutch Rivalry
The Anglo-Dutch rivalry primarily revolved around trade supremacy, especially in the spice trade of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent during the 17th century. Understanding the historical context of the two statements is crucial for analyzing their correctness.
Statement 1: Dutch Withdrawal from Spice Islands
- The Anglo-Dutch compromise indeed involved negotiations surrounding colonial holdings, particularly in the spice islands of Indonesia.
- However, the Dutch did not fully withdraw; instead, they retained control over significant areas. The compromise mainly aimed to reduce conflicts while allowing both nations to maintain their interests.
Statement 2: Victory in the Battle of Hooghly
- The Battle of Hooghly in 1759 was a pivotal moment for British power in India. The British victory significantly weakened the Dutch presence in India.
- This battle led to the decline of Dutch influence in the region, marking a shift towards British dominance rather than an outright collapse.
Conclusion
- Since the first statement inaccurately represents the outcome of the Anglo-Dutch compromise regarding the Dutch withdrawal, it is incorrect.
- The second statement accurately reflects the consequences of the Battle of Hooghly, leading to the decline of the Dutch.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B: 2 only.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Anglo-Dutch r...
- In the middle of the seventeenth century, the English began to emerge as a big colonial power. The Anglo-Dutch rivalry lasted for about seven decades during which period the Dutch lost their settlements to the British one by one.
- The English were also at this time rising to prominence in the Eastern trade, and this posed a serious challenge to the commercial interests of the Dutch. A commercial rivalry soon turned into bloody warfare. After prolonged warfare, both the parties came to a compromise in 1667 by which the British agreed to withdraw all their claims on Indonesia, and the Dutch retired from India to concentrate on their more profitable trade in Indonesia. They monopolized the trade in black pepper and spices. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- In the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672-74), communications between Surat and the new English settlement of Bombay got cut due to which three homebound English ships were captured in the Bay of Bengal by the Dutch forces. The retaliation by the English resulted in the defeat of the Dutch. The Battle of Chinsurah (also known as the Battle of Hooghly) took place near Chinsurah, India on 25 November 1759), which dealt a crushing blow to Dutch ambitions in India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.