Surrender of Tranquebar (1808)

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Surrender of Tranquebar
Part of the English Wars
Tranquebar 1790 - Peter Anker (1744-1832) - Kulturhistorisk museum, UiO - UEM4452 (cropped).jpg
Tranquebar, by former governor, Peter Anker
Date12 February 1808
Location
Tranquebar, Danish India
(present-day India)
11°1′45″N79°50′58″E / 11.02917°N 79.84944°E / 11.02917; 79.84944
Result British victory
Territorial
changes
Tranquebar occupied by the British
Belligerents
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Royal Standard of Denmark (1731-1819).svg  Denmark-Norway
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James Watson
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Thomas Caulfield
Royal Standard of Denmark (1731-1819).svg Peter Hermanson  White flag icon.svg
Units involved
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 14th Foot Regiment
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg EIC's artillery
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg HMS Russell
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg HMS Monmouth
Royal Standard of Denmark (1731-1819).svg Dansborg garrison
Flag of Denmark (state).svg HDMS Nancy
Flag of Denmark (state).svg HDMS Charlotte
Flag of Denmark (state).svg HDMS Sophia
Strength
8 merchantmen
2 ships
74 cannons
3 ships
Casualties and losses
None None

The Surrender of Tranquebar (Danish : Overgivelsen af Trankebar) or the Capture of Tranquebar (Danish: Overtagelsen af Trankebar) was a surrender of the capital of Danish India, Tranquebar, in 1808 to the British East India Company as a result of the English Wars. The capital would surrender almost immediately after the arrival of a British force.

Contents

Background

In 1801, hostilities between Denmark–Norway spread to their colonial holdings, including India. On 12 May 1801, Tranquebar, the capital of Danish India, surrendered to the British under Richard Wellesley. [1] Similar events would happen to Serampore and the Danish West Indies, however, hostilities ended after the Treaty of Amiens, where it was decided Britain was to embark from the Danish possessions in 1802. [2] [1]

Surrender

In early 1808, hostilities broke out again, and as a response, the British sent HMS Russell and HMS Monmouth with a detachment of the 14th Regiment of Foot and 74 cannons to Tranquebar. [1] [3] Upon anchoring off Tranquebar on 12 February 1808, [1] the British recommended the Danish governor, Peter Hermanson, [4] to surrender, which he quickly did. [1] [3] At 10 PM, articles of capitulation were signed, between Colonel James Watson and Captain Thomas Caulfield, on behalf of the British, and Governor Hermanson on behalf of the Danish. [4] [3]

Aftermath

Tranquebar and the other Danish possesions in India would be occupied by Britain until 1815, however, the damage on the trade would never recover, and in 1845 Denmark sold its Indian holdings to Britain for 1.125.000 Danish Rigsdaler. [5]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Liisberg 2020.
  2. Glover 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Gold 2014.
  4. 1 2 Larsen 1940, p. 76.
  5. "Tranquebar, 1620-1845". danmarkshistorien.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2024-06-21.

Works cited