Tranquebar marked the beginning of a brief and largely forgotten chapter of Danish colonialism in India. Trade and the desire to position themselves internationally were the key objectives, as with the Dutch, Portuguese, and English who had preceded them. The establishment of the first Danish trading station in Tranquebar, too, was more of an accident than a well-thought-out colonial design. The insignificant nature of the Danish trading presence is evident from the fact that their territories were sold off to the British as early as 1845. A lasting legacyStory continues below this adAlthough Danish history in India is largely forgotten, their legacy in Tranquebar has endured.

Source: Indian Express February 16, 2026 19:17 UTC