The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie in Dutch, known as the VOC) was one of the most successful private companies in the history of the world. The aim of the VOC was to monopolise the East Indian spice trade and therefore extinguish competition, both within Holland and from other European powers. From the time it was chartered in 1602 until its dismemberment due to corruption and bankruptcy almost 200 years later, it paid an 18 per cent annual dividend. Fort Zeel…
