Modern-indian-history / Advent of the Europeans in India / Danes
Danes
The term "Danish" or "Danes" denotes individuals originating from Denmark, a country that maintained colonial holdings in India for a span of 225 years.
- These Danish territories in India encompassed Tranquebar (located in Tamil Nadu), Serampore (in Bengal), and the Nicobar Islands, with Serampore serving as their central hub in the region.
The catalyst for Danish engagement in the Indian subcontinent can be traced to the Dutch adventurer Marcelis de Boshouwer.
- Seeking military support against the Portuguese, Boshouwer offered a promise of trade monopoly to any aiding party. His plea resonated with Christian IV, the King of Denmark-Norway, who subsequently granted the Danish East India Company exclusive trading rights between Denmark and Asia for twelve years via a charter issued in 1616.
In 1799 AD, Danish missionaries established the Serampore Mission Press, further solidifying Danish presence in the region.
Despite their efforts, the Danes ultimately faltered in India, leading them to sell off all their Indian settlements to the British in 1845.
