The Dutch in Bengal and Bihar review
Summary
This review evaluates Dr. Kalikinkar Dutta’s monograph “The Dutch in Bengal and Bihar,” which examines a neglected chapter of eighteenth‑century Indian history. Whereas the expulsions of the French from Bengal are well documented in works by Orme, Malleson and Hill, the gradual elimination of the Dutch had received little scholarly attention. Dr. Dutta, an authority on eighteenth‑century Bengal, has drawn together scattered materials from Indian archives to produce a comprehensive survey covering the period 1740 to 1825. The book’s opening chapter recounts the early history of the Dutch presence in Bengal, while the second chapter provides a lucid account of the critical months of 1756–57, when the conflict with the British came to a head. Chapter III offers what the reviewer describes as the best available account of the Dutch settlement of Bedara. The subsequent chapter analyses the events of 1759–61, including Dutch attempts to regain influence, and Chapter V discusses Governor‑General Warren Hastings’ policy toward the Dutch. The final chapters survey the decline of Dutch power from 1784 to 1825. The appendices reproduce extracts from valuable unpublished records, and the bibliography is described as useful and exhaustive. The reviewer notes that circumstances beyond Dutta’s control prevented him from consulting all relevant materials in European archives but commends his careful assembly of information available in India. The result is an informative study that fills a gap in the historiography of colonial Bengal.
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Conclusion
The review concludes that Dr. Dutta’s study provides a thorough and much‑needed account of the Dutch in Bengal and Bihar. By piecing together fragments from diverse sources, the author sheds light on a neglected subject and offers detailed narratives of key events and policies. The work’s comprehensive coverage, inclusion of primary documents and extensive bibliography make it an important resource for researchers interested in the European trading companies’ activities and the political history of eighteenth‑century Bengal.