Siege of Malacca

1640 CE.

Shown on the map at 2.192°, 102.250°.

The siege of Malacca (3 August 1640 – 14 January 1641) was initiated by the Dutch East India Company and their local ally, Johor, against Portuguese Malacca. It ended with a Portuguese surrender and, according to Portugal, the deaths of thousands of Portuguese individuals. The roots of the conflict began in the late 16th century when the Dutch arrived in the vicinity of Malacca. From there, they launched occasional attacks against the Portuguese colony, including multiple failed sieges. In August 1640, the Dutch commenced their final siege, which took a heavy toll on both sides, with disease and starvation rampant. Finally, after the loss of several major commanders and numerous troops, the Dutch stormed the citadel, completely ending Portugal's control of the city. Ultimately, the new colony was of little importance to the Dutch compared to their previously existing local territory, Batavia.

Text from the Wikipedia article Siege of Malacca (1640–1641), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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