Sign In

Battle for Ternate -- Showing A Chinese Trading Post!

Fascinating manuscript map of the Battle for Ternate in 1606, providing an exceptionally detailed account of the action between the Portuguese, Dutch and their local allies, during a pivotal moment in the struggle for control of the Spice Islands trade.

The hand on the map would appear to be from the second quarter of the eighteenth century (1725 - 1750).  Interestingly, the map is written in a Latin and not a Gothic Schrift, as would be expected in a manuscript map created in the German-speaking world.  This strongly suggests that the creator expected the map to be printed and was likely creating the text for a planned contemporary German language book.

The broader narrative of this map involves the Tornatean-Portuguese conflicts and most notably the intervention of the Dutch East India Company at the beginning of the 17th Century, which changed the balance of control on the island of Ternate, a central point for the Spice Islands trade. However, of note at the top right of the map is a place identified as "Chineser Wolin," directly adjacent to a "Hollander Logament," which appears to be a settlement on the northwest coast of the island.  The Chineser Wolin suggests the presence of Chinese as settlement of Chinese merchant traders.  The known trading history between Ternate and China dates back to the early 14th Century, as Ternate became a major port and center of the spice trade.

The historical event described in the text and map is the Battle for Ternate in 1606, a pivotal conflict in the Ternatean–Portuguese conflicts and the broader Dutch-Portuguese War (1602–1661) over control of the lucrative spice trade in Southeast Asia. This battle marked the culmination of efforts by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to displace Portuguese dominance in the region. The Portuguese, who had established a stronghold on Ternate in 1522 by building Fort Malayo, used the island as a base to control the spice-producing regions of the Moluccas. However, their harsh rule provoked resentment among local powers, particularly the Sultanate of Ternate, which sought allies to counter Portuguese oppression.

In 1599, the Sultan of Ternate allied with the recently arrived Dutch East India Company (VOC) to expel the Portuguese. The Dutch played a decisive role in the conflict, providing naval and ground forces to weaken Portuguese defenses. Fort Malayo, located in the harbor town of Gammolammo (Ternate's main city), became the focal point of the battle due to its strategic position. The allied Dutch and Ternatean forces successfully overpowered the Portuguese, who were forced to abandon the fort. Following the victory, the Dutch renamed the site Fort Oranje and established it as a critical stronghold in their expanding colonial empire.

This victory was a turning point in the colonial struggle for the Moluccas. The expulsion of the Portuguese from Ternate signaled the decline of their influence in the region and the rise of the Dutch as the dominant European power. Fort Oranje became the administrative and military hub for the VOC in Southeast Asia, serving as the de facto center of Dutch operations until the establishment of Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) in 1619. The battle also underscores the strategic importance of alliances between European colonial powers and local rulers. By partnering with the Sultan of Ternate, the VOC secured long-term control over the spice trade and reinforced its presence in the region.

The events surrounding Fort Malayo and its transformation into Fort Oranje illustrate the high stakes of the Dutch-Portuguese rivalry and the broader dynamics of colonial expansion in Southeast Asia. The capture of Ternate not only solidified the VOC's position in the Moluccas but also set the stage for their dominance in the global spice trade, reshaping the economic and political landscape of the region.  

The Ternatean–Portuguese Conflicts / Portuguese, Dutch & Spanish Colonialism in Ternate in the the 16th and 17th Centuries

The Ternatean–Portuguese conflicts were a prolonged series of clashes between the Portuguese and their allies, and the Sultanate of Ternate and its supporters, in the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of eastern Indonesia. These conflicts, spanning much of the 16th and early 17th centuries, were driven by competing religious identities, economic ambitions, and regional power dynamics. The Portuguese sought to monopolize the lucrative clove trade, while Ternate resisted foreign domination with alliances and military campaigns. These hostilities later intertwined with Spanish expansionist efforts and culminated in the Portuguese defeat in 1605 by an alliance between the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and Ternate. However, the Iberian presence persisted through Spanish efforts until their withdrawal in 1663.

By the early 16th century, the Sultanate of Ternate was a dominant power in the Moluccas, controlling significant portions of the spice trade. This position, however, was constantly challenged by its neighbors: the sultanates of Tidore, Jailolo, and Bacan. The Portuguese arrival in 1511, following their conquest of Malacca, disrupted the established trade networks. In 1512, Portuguese envoys appeared in Malukan waters, and by 1522, Sultan Bayan Sirrullah of Ternate invited the Portuguese to build Fort São João Baptista near the royal seat, cementing their presence on the island. The Portuguese initially sought to control the clove trade, but their authoritarian governance, interference in local politics, and missionary activities soon bred resentment. By 1530, tensions escalated when the Portuguese captain arrested and executed Darwis, Ternate’s regent, on unproven charges of treason. This sparked a blockade of the fort by Ternateans, and hostilities resumed sporadically over the next decades.

The 1530s saw Sultan Dayal of Ternate align with regional powers, including Tidore, Bacan, and Jailolo, against the Portuguese. After António Galvão’s successful relief expedition in 1536, the alliance was defeated, and Dayal died of injuries sustained during the conflict. His brother, Hairun, assumed the throne in 1535 and maintained an uneasy relationship with the Portuguese. Hairun’s reign (1535–1570) was marked by repeated tensions. In 1557, the Portuguese confiscated clove harvests and imprisoned the Sultan, leading to a temporary alliance between Ternate and Tidore against the Portuguese. Despite moments of reconciliation, Hairun encouraged attacks on Christian settlements and harassed Portuguese supply routes. The tension culminated in 1570, when Portuguese captain Diogo Lopes de Mesquita ordered Hairun’s assassination, triggering widespread revolt.

The assassination of Hairun in 1570 galvanized Ternate under his son Babullah, who declared a holy war against the Portuguese. Babullah established himself on Hiri Island, rallied his forces, and laid siege to Fort São João Baptista. Despite sporadic Portuguese reinforcements, Babullah's blockade proved devastating. By 1575, after enduring five years of siege, the Portuguese surrendered. Babullah allowed those willing to submit to remain as merchants, while the rest departed for Ambon. Babullah’s success was unprecedented. Known as the "Lord of Seventy-two Islands," he expanded Ternate’s influence across eastern Indonesia. He sought alliances with European and regional powers, including an overture to Francis Drake in 1579 and diplomatic outreach to Aceh, Johor, and Java.

Following their defeat, the Portuguese sought alliances elsewhere. By 1578, they had fortified their position in Tidore, forming a fragile partnership with Sultan Gapi Baguna to counter Babullah’s influence. However, this was insufficient to regain dominance in the region. The union of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns in 1581 further complicated the situation. Spanish expeditions from Manila attempted to reassert control over the Moluccas, but these efforts failed repeatedly between 1582 and 1603.

The arrival of the Dutch in the Moluccas in 1599 dramatically altered the balance of power. Sultan Saidi Berkat of Ternate allied with the Dutch, who were organized under the VOC by 1602. Together, they launched campaigns to eliminate Iberian influence. In 1605, a Dutch fleet under Cornelis Bastiaensz captured Ambon and Tidore, forcing the Portuguese settlers to flee to Manila. This victory, however, was short-lived. In 1606, a Spanish expedition under Pedro Bravo de Acuña briefly recaptured Ternate. Nevertheless, the VOC fortified their presence, establishing a stronghold on Ternate’s east coast in 1607, and gradually marginalized Spanish influence. By 1663, Spain abandoned its ambitions in the Moluccas entirely, leaving the Dutch as the dominant European power.

The Ternatean–Portuguese conflicts represent a rare instance where an indigenous Southeast Asian power successfully resisted European colonization. Sultan Babullah’s victories against the Portuguese in the 1570s delayed colonial domination of the region. Although the VOC eventually supplanted Ternatean independence, the struggle of Ternate and its allies against Portuguese and Spanish forces remains a testament to the resilience and agency of indigenous maritime powers during the Age of Exploration.

Transcription of German legend:

Erklärung der Buchstaben.

A. Sind zwei große portugiesische Galeonen, die das Städtlein Maleyo überfallen, es einnehmen und zudem vier mit Nelken beladene Schiffe verbrennen.

B. Ein Scharmützel zwischen den Portugiesen.

C. Sie wollen zur Sicherung des Weges nach Ningo bei Fenou eine Schanze aufwerfen, werden aber von den Portugiesen daran gehindert.

D. Die portugiesische Armada, bestehend aus großen und kleinen Schiffen, worauf sich 660 Portugiesen und 800 Jahoresische Hilfsvölker befinden, ist unterwegs, um das gesamte Land zu erobern.

E. Die Flotte besetzt die Straße von Banca.

F. 200 Jahoresen unternehmen ohne das Wissen der Portugiesen einen Angriff auf das Fürstentum Hyri, können jedoch nichts ausrichten.

G. 280 Portugiesen und 300 Jahoresen versuchen heimlich zu den Portugiesen nach Maleyo zu ziehen, werden jedoch von einer Schildwache hinter einem Gebüsch bemerkt, die den Indianern von ihrer Ankunft berichtet. Daraufhin werden sie von mehreren Hundert Wilden angegriffen, die jedoch in die Flucht geschlagen werden, worauf die Gruppe ihren Weg entlang der Straße fortsetzt.

H. Ein weiteres Scharmützel mit den Wilden, die den Kampf sicherlich gewonnen hätten, wenn die Portugiesen nicht durch ein Unwetter in die Flucht getrieben worden wären.

I. Die Portugiesen wollen den Fluss überqueren, werden jedoch von ihren Verbündeten zurück nach Maleyo gerufen.

K. Die Portugiesen nehmen ein Gebiet ein und ziehen friedlich von Sanier ab.

L. Die Portugiesen nehmen das Schloss ein.

M. Die Portugiesen und Jahoresen planen, die Armee in deren Lagern zu überfallen, ziehen aber in der Nacht durch den Fluss Predahambtu und erreichen das Dorf Ata.

N. Das Lager, in dem die Kanonen hinter Zelten versteckt waren.

O. 200 Jahoresen geraten durch feindliches Geschütz in Unordnung und fliehen in einen Wald.

P. Eine Gruppe von Einheimischen greift die Portugiesen von hinten an und zwingt sie, sich zu ihren Schiffen zurückzuziehen.

Q. Auf ihrem Rückzug werden die Portugiesen von Wilden in einem Gebüsch von allen Seiten angegriffen; über 100 werden getötet, und die übrigen werden in die Flucht geschlagen.

R. S.  Zwei holländische Schiffe, die bei Agamihre Ladung aufnehmen wollen, lassen sich vom König verbieten, gegen die Portugiesen zu segeln, und nehmen Position bei T. 

U. Die kommen dem Könige zu Hielfe u Letzen lich bei V.

V.  Die schiffe ruken heraut bey W. 

X. Einige 4 Canoes von Hyri mit komen des nachts mit fackeln hinter den Schiffen hervor, wo durch die P. betrogen werden u. die Flucht ergreiffen.

Y. Eine L.P. Schanz auf der kleinen Insel Pulo-Penzano mit 20 P.u. etlichen T. besezt, welche die Holländer nebst 2 Galleen so dabeij gelegen, zur Beute bekomen.

Z. Eine kleine Festung der P. auf S. Maria, welche sie noch mit Gewalt u. wider den Willen der Einwohner erhalten.

AA. Anstalten der um den L. das weitere Eindringen zu verwehren.

Translation:

A. Two large Portuguese galleons attack the small town of Maleyo, capturing it and burning four ships loaded with cloves.

B. A skirmish among the Portuguese.

C. They attempt to build a fortification near Ningo at Fenou to secure the route, but the Portuguese prevent them.

D. The Portuguese armada, consisting of large and small ships carrying 660 Portuguese and 800 Jahorese auxiliaries, advances to conquer the entire region.

E. The fleet occupies the Banca Strait.

F. 200 Jahorese launch an attack on the principality of Hyri without the knowledge of the Portuguese but achieve nothing.

G. 280 Portuguese and 300 Jahorese secretly attempt to join the Portuguese at Maleyo but are noticed by a sentry hiding behind a bush. The sentry informs the natives of their arrival, and they are attacked by several hundred natives, who are, however, routed. The group then continues along the road.

H. Another skirmish with the natives, who would likely have won if the Portuguese had not been driven to flight by a storm.

I. The Portuguese plan to cross the river but are called back to Maleyo by their allies.

K. The Portuguese capture an area and peacefully withdraw from Sanier.

L. The Portuguese capture the castle.

M. The Portuguese and Jahorese plan to attack the enemy army in their camps but cross the Predahambtu River at night to reach the village of Ata.

N. The camp where the cannons were hidden behind tents.

O. 200 Jahorese are thrown into disorder by enemy artillery and flee into a forest.

P. A group of natives attacks the Portuguese from behind, forcing them to retreat to their ships.

Q. On their retreat, the Portuguese are ambushed by natives in a thicket from all sides; over 100 are killed, and the rest flee.

R. Two Dutch ships, intending to take on cargo at Agamihre, are forbidden by the king to sail against the Portuguese and take position at T.

S. The Portuguese come to the king’s aid and take position at V.

T. The ships continue their journey and appear near W.

U. The Portuguese come to the king’s aid and position themselves at V.

V. The ships continue their journey and appear near W.

X. Four canoes from Hyri come at night with torches from behind the ships, deceiving the Portuguese and forcing them to flee.

Y. A Portuguese fortification on the small island of Pulo-Penzano, manned by 20 Portuguese and several troops, is captured by the Dutch, along with two galleons anchored nearby, which are taken as spoils.

Z. A small Portuguese fortress on Santa Maria, which they still hold by force and against the will of the local inhabitants.

AA. Preparations to prevent the further advance of the Dutch into the territory.