The Colonization of Batavia and the Massacre of 1740 红溪惨案

Leonard Blussé, Emeritus Chair, History of Asian-European Relations, History Department, Leiden University 

Moderator: James Robson, James C. Kralik, and Yunli Lou Professor, Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations; Victor and William Fung Director, Asia Center, Harvard University

Abstract: Between 9 and 11 October 1740, all male Chinese in Batavia, the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company in Asia, were slaughtered by their fellow citizens in a frenzy of violence. About a third of the city was reduced to ashes. How could such a stampede have broken out in a colonial city where the Dutch and Chinese communities had lived together harmoniously for more than a hundred years? In the search for a culprit, previous studies of the Chinese massacre have traditionally placed the blame on the reigning Governor-General, but a review of both Dutch and Chinese sources shows that he never ordered the extermination of the Chinese. Based on my recent book-length study (in Dutch) , The Colonisation of Batavia and the Bloodbath of 1740: the Chinese Massacre, I hope to discuss how a revolt by Chinese peasants in Batavia's hinterland against the colonial administration led to a massive pogrom against their compatriots living behind the walls of the city.