Travels in India (Tavernier) 35.1.2

35.1.2

The army which was sent from Batavia to the siege of Cochin disembarked at a place called Belli-Porto, where there was a fort which the Dutch had made with palms. It is close to Kranganur, a small town which the Dutch had taken the previous year, without having conquered Cochin, upon which they had made some attempt. When the army landed it advanced within range of the guns of Cochin, and there was a river between it and the town. The place where the Dutch encamped was called Belle Epine, and having entrenched themselves as far as the nature of the place permitted, they put some batteries in position which could not injure the town, because they were too far from it. They remained in this position until reinforcements came, for three ships only had arrived, and he who commanded these first troops was one of the bravest captains of his time. A few days after the Governor of Amboyna arrived with two ships, and afterwards a Dutch captain brought a number of Chinglas, who are the people of the island of Ceylon. For the forces of the Dutch in India would not be so considerable as they are if they did not make use of the people of the country, with whom they augment the troops which are brought from Europe. Those of the island of Ceylon are good for the trenches, but for an attack they are useless. Those of Amboyna are good soldiers, and 400 of them who came were left at Belle Epine.