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{{Short description|1618–1622 Danish expedition to Asia}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Ove Gjedde's Expedition
| image = Ove Gjedde Expedition.png
| partof = the [[Age of Discovery]]
| native_name = Ove Gjeddes ekspedition
| native_name_lang = da
| date = {{start and end dates|1618|08|16|1622|03|04}}
| duration = {{age in years and days|1618|08|16|1622|03|04}}
| Location = [[East Indies]]
| type = Expedition
| patron = [[Christian IV]], [[Roland Crappé]], and others...
| participants = {{circa|400}}
| reported deaths = c. 200–240
}}

'''Ove Gjedde's Expedition''' ({{Langx|da|Ove Gieddes ekspedition}}) or the '''Danish Expedition to India of 1618''–''1622''' ({{Langx|da|Ostindiske ekspedition af 1618–1622|links=no}}) was the first [[Danish colonial empire|Danish colonial]] expedition to the [[Indian subcontinent]] and [[Southeast Asia]], reaching [[Sri Lanka]], [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavur]] and [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthaya]]. The expedition was initiated by the newly established [[Danish East India Company]] and led by 24-year-old [[Ove Gjedde]]. Despite not achieving its original goal of monopolizing Sri Lanka, the expedition still managed to receive control and trading privileges over various coastal towns and cities.

== Background ==
[[File:Christian IV - Ceylon map.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Map of Sri Lanka believed to have been presented to Christian IV by Marchelis Boschouver]]
In 1616 the [[Danish East India Company]] was established with the aim of starting Danish commerce in the [[East Indies]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ove Gjedde - Admiral, 1594-1660 |url=https://chr4.dk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ove-Gjedde.pdf |website=chr4.dk}}</ref> Originally, the Company's commercial interests lay in the [[Coromandel Coast]], however, when courier for [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandy]] Marchelis Boschouver arrived in [[Copenhagen]], he managed to convince the Company's shareholders, including [[Christian IV of Denmark]], to invest in a [[monopoly]] on [[Sri Lanka]].{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=71}} Subsequently, an expedition led by 24-year-old [[Ove Gjedde]] would be initiated.

=== Preparations ===
Gjedde would personally lead the [[flagship]] ''Elephanten'', while Boschouver would be on board on the ''David''.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, the two warships the ''Christian'' and ''Kiobenhavn'',{{Efn|Alternatively spelled ''Kiøbenhaffn''}} which were Swedish [[Prize ship|prizes]] from the [[Kalmar War]], would also be attached to the fleet.<ref name=":0" /> As vanguard, experienced Dutchman [[Roland Crappé]] would sail for Sri Lanka a couple of months before the rest of the expeditionary fleet.<ref name=":0" />

== Expedition ==
[[File:Danish Expedition in Ceylon.png|right|thumb|267x267px|Danish routes of their expedition in Sri Lanka. Roland Crappé's navigations are shown in blue, while Ove Gjedde's are shown in red.]]

The main expedition took sail in November 1618, however, the journey to [[India]] became very difficult, and they only reached Sri Lanka in 1620.<ref name=":0" /> [[Scurvy]] killed at least half of the crew before they reached the [[Cape of Good Hope]] in July 1619 and the expedition had trouble with navigation, and as no European navigational map was brought on to the expedition.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, the majority of the crews were Dutchmen,<ref name=":1" /> who were discontent with the inexperienced Danish leadership.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=90}} At one point, Boschouver tried to sail away,{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=90}} however, he got caught and died before the expedition reached Sri Lanka.<ref name=":1" />

=== Arrival of the ''Øresund'' in Sri Lanka ===
{{Further information|Roland Crappé's raids on Portuguese colonies}}

As a vanguard, Crappé arrived with the ''Øresund'' in Sri Lanka in late 1619 to prepare for the arrival of Gjedde.<ref name=":0" />{{Sfn|Ramerini|2020}}<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-28 |title=Christian IV drømte om guld og krydderier fra Indien: Sådan blev Tranquebar en dansk koloni |url=https://videnskab.dk/kultur-samfund/christian-iv-droemte-om-guld-og-krydderier-fra-indien-saadan-blev-tranquebar-en-dansk-koloni/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=videnskab.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref> The King of [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandy]], [[Senarat of Kandy|Senarat]], ordered Crappé to wage war against [[Portuguese Ceylon|the Portuguese]], which culminated in a confrontation off [[Karaikal]].<ref name=":1" /> Seven smaller Portuguese [[frigate]]s sought to regain some vessels ''Øresund'' had seized, and in the initial battle, she caught fire and sank.<ref name=":1" /> Subsequently, Crappé and some of his men would be imprisoned by the Portuguese authorities, while many other Danes would be beheaded.<ref name=":1" /> However, Crappé succeeded in getting in contact with an official from the local [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Thanjavurian kingdom]], and together Crappé and 14 of his men managed to escape the imprisonment.<ref name=":1" /> The men now traveled to [[Thanjavur]], where, through local friends, Crappé could get in an audience with the [[Nayak (title)|Nayak]] [[Raghunatha Nayak|Raghunatha]].<ref name=":1" /> After negotiations, the Nayak promised Crappé the small fishing village of [[Tharangambadi]] to the Danes, however, a treaty confirming the matter was [[Tranquebar Treaty of 1620|first issued in 1620]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Arrival of Ove Gjedde in Sri Lanka ===
[[File:Karel van III Mander - Rigsadmiral Ove Gjedde - KMS605 - Statens Museum for Kunst.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Painting of Ove Gjedde by [[Karel van Mander III]] ({{Circa|1630}}). From the [[National Gallery of Denmark]].]]

Ove Gjedde with the ''Elephanten'' would first anchor at [[Panama, Sri Lanka|Panama]] near [[Batticaloa]], Sri Lanka on 18 May 1620, while ''David'' and ''Kiobenhavn'' would follow on May 24.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=91}} While meeting the King, Gjedde was informed that Kandy had established peace with the Portuguese three years prior, and therefore no longer felt Danish assistance necessary.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=91}} However, the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] still sought to investigate the Danes in case they were able to drive out the Portuguese from the island.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=92}} Subsequently, Gjedde would sail north to [[Trincomalee]] where he would, on 24 June, start negotiations with the Kings's envoys.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=92}} The Danish expedition occupied the [[Koneswaram Temple]] in [[Trincomalee]].{{Sfn|Ramerini|2020}} In August 1617, the Kandyans concluded a peace treaty with the Portuguese.{{Sfn|Ramerini|2020}} As a result of the changed circumstances, the negotiations did not bear fruit, and Gjedde therefore found it necessary to meet with the Kandyan monarch personally.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=92}} On 16 August, Gjedde reached Venthanen (modern-day [[Mahiyangana]]) {{Convert|44|km|mi}} east of [[Kandy]], where a meeting with Senerat took place.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=93}} After shifting attitudes and intense negotiations, the Kandyan king signed a treaty of alliance with the Danes, with [[Denmark–Norway]] receiving the port of Trincomalee, with Senarat sending 60 men to help them build fortifications.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=93}}{{Sfn|Ramerini|2020}} Additionally, the Danes were granted generous commercial privileges and were free to introduce Christianity to Trincomalee.{{Sfn|Stow|1979|p=13}} After signing the treaty, Gjedde went to Trincomalee, left some Danes,{{Sfn|Stow|1979|p=13}} including Erik Grubbe, and sailed to Thanjavur where he had been informed that Roland Crappé operated.{{Sfn|Lauring|2017|p=95}}

=== Gjedde at Thanjavur ===
{{Further information|Tranquebar Treaty of 1620}}
[[File:Den 19. november 1620 signerede Nayaka Raghunata af Thanjavur en aftale med Kong Christian 4.jpg|thumb|right|The Tranquebar Treaty of 1620.]]

Gjedde arrived at Tranquebar on 13 September 1620 and sent word to Crappé, who was at Thanjavur city, to secure the deal with Nayak Raghunatha.<ref name=":1" /> Weeks followed with negotiations and mutual presents, which culminated on 19 November with the signing of the treaty.<ref name=":1" /> Tranquebar was ceded to Denmark for two years, and the Danes were allowed to fortify the village.<ref name=":1" />

=== Voyage to Siam ===
In the following year, Crappé with the ''Kiobenhavn'' headed across the [[Bay of Bengal]] to [[Mergui]], [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Den danske tropekoloni i Trankebar |url=https://www.aerenlund.dk/historie/trankebar.html |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.aerenlund.dk}}</ref>{{Sfn|Rindom|1995|p=27}} The Danes were warmly welcomed, as Mergui was an important [[Thailand|Siamese]] trading post.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Møller |first=Gregers |date=1621-11-15 |title=A trip down memory lane: 14 November 1618 marks an important day for Thai-Danish relations |url=https://scandasia.com/a-trip-down-memory-lane-14-november-1618-marks-an-important-day-for-thai-danish-relations/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Scandasia |language=en-GB}}</ref> The voyage proved to be a great profit for the Danes as they could load their ships with pepper.{{Sfn|Rindom|1995|p=27}}<ref name=":2" /> With this load, Gjedde left for Copenhagen on 13 February 1621.<ref name=":1" /> On his home voyage, Gjedde visited Trincomalee and saw that there had been no progress made on the fortress since he left.{{Sfn|Stow|1979|p=14}} Gjedde continued his voyage and reached Copenhagen on 4 March 1622.<ref name=":0" />

== Aftermath ==
Gjedde partially completed his mission and returned with a reasonable cargo, enough to convince the shareholders to continue the enterprise.{{Sfn|Bredsdorff|2009|p=175}} It must also be admitted that Gjedde could hardly achieve such without the experienced Roland Crappé.{{Sfn|Stow|1979|p=14}} Gjedde's fortress of Dansborg would become a monument of his expedition and still stands today.{{Sfn|Stow|1979|p=14}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite web |last1=Ramerini |first1=Marco |title=Trincomalee: The arrival of the Danes, the Dutch and the construction of the Portuguese Fort |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923023819/https://www.colonialvoyage.com/trincomalee-arrival-danes-dutch-construction-portuguese-fort/ |website=Colonial Voyage |year=2020 |access-date=19 September 2020}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lauring |first=Kåre |url=https://tidsskrift.dk/mfs_aarbog/article/view/96401/145247 |title=Marchells Michielsz Boschouver — imperlebygger eller svindler |publisher=M/S Museet for Søfarts årbog |year=2017 |language=Danish}}
* {{Cite book |last=Stow |first=Randolph |url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/ndownloader/files/50397672 |title=Denmark in the Indian Ocean, 1616-1845 An Introduction |publisher=University of Wollongong Research Online |year=1979 |language=}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rindom |first=Jan |url=https://dwis.dk/images/Dokumenter/Specialer/Indien/Rindom.Ostindisk_Kompagni_1616-50.Kbh_1995.pdf |title=Ostindisk Kompagni 1616-50 |publisher=Det Kongelige Bibliotek |year=1995 |isbn= |edition= |location=[[Copenhagen]] |language=Danish |trans-title=East Indian Company 1616-50}}
* {{Cite book |last=Bredsdorff |first=Asta |url= |title=The Trials and Travels of Willem Leyel |publisher=[[Museum Tusculanum Press]] |year=2009 |isbn=9788763530231 |edition= |location=Copenhagen}}

{{Kandyan period topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ove Gjedde's Expedition}}
[[Category:1620s in Danish India]]
[[Category:Asian expeditions]]
[[Category:1619 in Denmark]]
[[Category:1622 in Denmark]]
[[Category:1620 in Denmark]]
[[Category:1621 in Denmark]]
[[Category:History of Denmark]]
[[Category:Expeditions from Denmark]]

Ove Gjedde's Expedition - Revision history

Sindhupv: Created some details basic info