Formation of the company in March, 1602, by a
charter of Dutch parliament the Dutch East India Company was formed with powers
to make wars, conclude treaties, acquire territories and build fortresses.
The Dutch set up factories at Masulipattam
(1605), Pulicat (1610), Surat (1616), Bimilipatam (1641), Karaikal (1645),
Chinsura (1653), Kasimbazar, Baranagore , Patna, Balasore Negapatam (all in
1658) and Cochin (1663).
The Dutch replaced the Portuguese as the most
dominant power in European trade with the East, including India.
Pulicat was main centre in India till 1690,
after which Negapatam replaced it.
The Dutch conceded to English after their defeat
in the battle of Bedera in 1759.