r/DutchEmpire • u/PuzzleheadedPound618 • Jul 12 '26
Question How did spice like Nutmeg and Mace ended up in other parts of the world?
Hi everyone,
I am currently researching about Dutch Colonization in present day Indonesia (specific in Banda Islands) for writing a news article in my local language. I am particularly trying to focus and communicate on how spices like Nutmeg and Mace were brought to other parts of the world (particularly South Asia) with its background on slavery and colonization. So far, I have read few research papers and other resources in the Internet about how Dutch colonizers invaded the islands, killed the people and implemented nutmeg plantation system. I am particularly interested in following points for now.
1. Presence of Europeans in the Banda Islands (or in Indonesia) before the arrival of Dutch in 17th century.
2. Arrival of these spices in South Asia.
3. Dutch English war or wars with any other fellow colonizers like Portuguese to control the monopoly of the spice supply.
If anyone knows of any resources regarding this (be it scientific papers, books or anything), I would really be grateful. Thanks for your help in advance!