In the early 1680s, the Dutch East India Company's trading activities in the Surat region had already attracted the attention of other competitors. The Dutch East India Company realized that to continue to maintain its competitive edge in this competitive market, they needed to take more aggressive steps to establish their position.
In the spring of that year, the Dutch East India Company conducted a series of negotiations and consultations with the local rulers of the Surat region. They used their economic power and resources, as well as good relations with local rulers, to successfully reach agreements on trade monopolies.
According to the agreement, merchants and traders from other countries were forbidden to enter the Surat region directly for trading activities, but only by cooperating with the Dutch East India Company or buying their goods.
In order to ensure the effective implementation of the trade monopoly policy, the Dutch East India Company adopted a series of measures to restrict the activities of competitors.
They set up a strict system of customs checks and duty collection in the Surat region to prevent other merchants from entering and leaving the port without permission. At the same time, they also worked with port officials and the navy of the Surat region to jointly safeguard the interests of trade monopolies.
The Dutch East India Company's monopoly on trade in the Surat region not only restricted the activities of merchants from other countries, but also allowed the Dutch East India Company to monopolize the profits of trade in the Surat region and further profit by raising commodity prices and collecting tolls.
The Dutch East India Company was able to control the routes between the Surat region and Europe, thus ensuring that its ships and cargo were given priority in and out of the port, reducing the cost of transportation and transportation.
In addition, the Dutch East India Company acquired the exclusive right to operate and control specific commodities in the Surat region, further consolidating its position in the local commercial sector.
They monopolize markets, raise commodity prices and generate additional income by collecting tolls, tariffs and concession fees.
This left merchants and traders from other countries dissatisfied and devastated by their exclusion from the trade markets of the Surat region. They tried to find other ways and channels to bypass the trade monopoly in order to continue trading with the Surat region.
In addition, merchants and residents of the Surat region faced high prices and restrictions imposed by Dutch corporate monopolies.
Control of trade routes
In early 1680, the Dutch East India Company began to tighten its grip on important trade routes in the Surat region. These trade routes were sea routes connecting Surat and Europe, carrying a large number of goods and trade.
In order to control the trade routes, the Dutch East India Company took a series of measures. First, they strengthened the management and monitoring of the port of Surat.
In the spring of 1680, the Dutch East India Company cooperated with Surat port officials and the local navy to safeguard the interests of trade monopolies.
They set up a strict system of customs inspections and duty collection, restricted the entry and exit of merchants from other countries, and ensured that the ships and goods of the Dutch East India Company had priority access to the port.
The Dutch East India Company strengthened its control of trade routes through maritime power. They sent warships to patrol and escort ships to ensure the safety and smooth flow of trade vessels.
The warships of the Dutch East India Company cruised along trade routes, monitoring and deterring possible pirates and competitors, maintaining the stability of trade routes.
The Dutch East India Company also actively sought cooperation and agreements with other countries to further consolidate its control over trade routes.
They negotiated with merchants and trading companies in various European countries, reaching a series of agreements that restricted the activities of other competitors on trade routes.
The control of trade routes allowed the Dutch East India Company to effectively manage import and export trade in the Surat region. They are able to select appropriate trade routes and waterways to ensure the safe and smooth transportation of vessels.
By controlling trade routes, the Dutch East India Company achieved a rapid and efficient flow of goods, thereby improving the efficiency and profitability of trade.
Grant of commercial concessions
In 1680, the Dutch East India Company entered into a series of negotiations and consultations with the local rulers of the Surat region aimed at establishing the interests of a trade monopoly.
As part of these negotiations, the Dutch East India Company sought commercial concessions to control the sale and trading of specific commodities.
Under the agreement, the Dutch East India Company received the right to operate specific commodities alone in the Surat region. Specifically, they were granted exclusive sales rights for important commodities such as silk, spices, textiles, etc.
This meant that other merchants and traders were forbidden to enter the Surat region directly to sell these goods, only by cooperating with the Dutch East India Company or by purchasing its goods.
After the Dutch East India Company obtained the commercial concession, a series of measures were taken to ensure its effective implementation. First, they set up their own exclusive trading sites and warehouses for storing and displaying licensed goods. These sites and warehouses were managed by employees and agents of the Dutch East India Company, ensuring the quality of goods and a stable supply of goods.
Second, the Dutch East India Company strengthened its regulation and control of licensed goods. They have strict trade regulations and standards in place to ensure that the quality and price of licensed goods meet the company's requirements.
In addition, the Dutch East India Company established close cooperation with merchants and suppliers in the Surat region to maintain and promote the sale and trading of licensed goods.
The granting of the commercial concession enabled the Dutch East India Company to enjoy an exclusive interest in the sale of specific goods in the Surat region. By monopolizing the sale of licensed goods, they gained huge profits and economic advantages.
By controlling the supply and pricing of specific commodities, the Dutch East India Company was able to raise the price of goods in the market and thus obtain higher profits.
However, merchants and traders from other countries felt excluded from the licensed commodity market and could not enter directly to trade in the Surat region, thus suffering economic losses.
Expansion of the scale of trade
In 1680, the Dutch East India Company took a series of measures to expand the scale of trade. First of all, they increased the size and number of the fleet.
The Dutch East India Company invested in more ships, increasing the size of its fleet and trading capacity. This allows them to ship more goods and commodities at the same time, meeting the growing demand for trade.
The Dutch East India Company actively expanded its trading network. They seek to establish contacts and partnerships with merchants and traders from other countries and regions.
By cooperating with merchants from other countries, the Dutch East India Company was able to further expand their trade and bring more trade opportunities and profits. They also establish close cooperation with local merchants and suppliers to ensure the smooth running of trade activities.
The Dutch East India Company also established additional trading posts and posts in the Surat region. They built more port warehouses and trade markets for storing, displaying, and selling goods.
These trading posts became an important base for the Dutch East India Company in the Surat region, providing greater flexibility and convenience for their trading activities.
Construction of commercial infrastructure
In 1680, the Dutch East India Company began a series of commercial infrastructure construction projects. They set about building new port facilities.
By expanding existing ports and building new terminals, the Dutch East India Company increased the trading capacity of the Surat region. The new port facilities were able to accommodate more vessels and cargo, improving handling efficiency and speeding up trading activities.
The Dutch East India Company built large warehouses for the storage and custody of licensed commodities and other trade goods. These warehouse facilities are equipped with appropriate cargo management systems to ensure the safety and quality of goods. The construction of warehouses increased the inventory capacity of the Dutch East India Company, allowing them to better meet market demand.
In addition, the Dutch East India Company built centralized trade markets, providing merchants and traders with a place to trade and display their goods. These trade markets became centers of commercial activity, attracting more merchants and buyers, and promoting a boom in trade.
In addition to ports, warehouses and trade markets, the Dutch East India Company invested in transportation and communications infrastructure. They built roads and bridges to facilitate the transportation and circulation of goods.
In addition, they introduced modern communication systems, including messengers and mail services.
Adjustment of the economic structure
In 1680, the Dutch East India Company introduced a monopoly trade model. The Dutch East India Company became the sole supplier of specific commodities in the Surat region through cooperation with merchants from other countries and control of the supply of licensed goods.
This monopolistic trade model allowed the Dutch East India Company to control the market, raise the price of goods, and thus obtain higher profits. This measure changed the pattern of trade in the Surat region, concentrating trade activities under the control of the Dutch East India Company.
They also introduced capitalist business practices. They encouraged the accumulation and investment of capital, and businessmen began to make large-scale capital investments, getting involved in different industries and fields.
They invest in the construction of factories and production facilities, the development of manufacturing and industrial production. These initiatives transformed the Surat region from a traditional agricultural and handicraft economy to a modern industrial and commercial economy.
In addition, the Dutch East India Company promoted modern farming methods and planting techniques to local farmers, improving agricultural production efficiency.
The Dutch East India Company also introduced a number of new crop and plant varieties to enrich the variety of agricultural products.
Increase in taxes and fiscal revenues
In 1680, the Dutch East India Company introduced a new tax system. The Dutch East India Company set up a special tax authority to collect various taxes.
These include import and export taxes, commercial taxes and poll taxes on licensed goods. Through these tax regimes, the Dutch East India Company was able to collect taxes from commercial activities and residents of the Surat region, increasing its revenue.
Due to their trade monopoly, the Dutch East India Company was able to control and manipulate trade activities in the Surat region. They raised the prices of licensed goods and imposed high trade taxes on other merchants.
This trade monopoly allowed the Dutch East India Company to make higher profits and to include a portion of it as taxes.
They also expanded their fleets, increased shipping capacity, and accelerated trade. By increasing the size and frequency of trade, the Dutch East India Company was able to increase the tax revenues generated by its trading activities.
In addition, they encouraged local merchants and residents to actively participate in trade activities, further expanding the scale of trade and tax revenue.