Conquest of Rarakit, 15 October 1649

Conquest of Rarakit, 15 October 1649. Rarakit, at the east side of Seram, was considered a ‘pirate’s nest’, giving shelter to the VOC’s enemies such as the Tidorese and the Papuans, and served as a potential staging area for attaks on Banda. In 1649, Arnold de Vlamingh led a hongi, i.e. an indigenous fleet, entirely around Seram, and conquered the fortified settlement on the hill with the help of 600 indigenous allies and 600 European soldiers.

The drawing is part of a manuscript version of Livinus Bor, Amboinse Oorlogen, but the conquest took place two years before the start of the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), and the drawing does not seem to have any relation to the text of the book.

Inscription: Afbeelding van der Cerammeren Steerckte op Rharhakit Ingenomen by den Heere Gouverneur Adnold de Vlamingh van Oudshoorn op den 15en October A. 1649

Part of an illustrated manuscript version of Livinus Bor, Amboinse Oorlogen, describing the events of the Great Ambon War (1651-1656), and defending and glorifying the acts of the VOC commander in this conflict, Arnold de Vlamingh van Oudshoorn.

See also: Koninklijke Bibliotheek Brussel, Ms. 17982, fol. 30.