Remnant of Dutch settlement in India (Dutch Factory )

The Dutch factory in Vengurla is a fascinating site, though it currently stands as ruins and a testament to that chapter of Indian history. The building's architecture is neglected, but discussions about its restoration are ongoing, and work has begun slowly. However, it’s uncertain how long the restoration will take, given the size of the structure and its age.

We have lived near Vengurla for a long time and often visit the area for bureaucratic tasks, with the offices located on the northeast side of town. The Dutch factory is situated on the west side, close to the harbor. We had heard about the historical significance of the factory ruins and wanted to visit, but we kept postponing the trip due to our busy schedules. We did visit the harbor or jetty occasionally, but that was mainly to relieve stress from our day-to-day responsibilities.

On our last visit to Vengurla, we were surprised that our errands took only about half an hour instead of the expected five to six hours. After finishing at the office, my husband took an unfamiliar road, and I looked at him with many unasked questions. When he stopped the car near the old abandoned area, I was shocked to realize that we had arrived at the Dutch factory.

The Dutch Factory, known locally as Datchachi Vakhar, is located in Vengurla, Maharashtra, an ancient port on the southwest coast of India. which now stands as ruins because of age, negligence, salty atmosphere, heavy vegetation of big trees, moss, lichen, and weather.

It is not a very popular tourist attraction. The lack of information and the condition of the structure were dangerous and led to a couple of accidents. It was very quiet there. It is part of history, but not much tourist traffic there like other places. One old house might be connected to a Dutch factory. Lots of banyan trees, and a small house from the locality.

As we stopped our car, I noticed a gas cylinder supply truck unloading cylinders. In front of that old house, a family from a nearby village was filming a video. Quietness around and in the structure.
In addition, there was an old building that looked like an industrial workshop, but it hadn't been used for many years.

The entrance looked maintained with big iron metal arches holding the old walls, and some places on the arches were replaced with new local Laterite stones.
The roots of the Giant Indian Banyan/Fig trees(ficus macrofylla) all over had covered each wall pillars windows and are growing through those old stone walls. They might help hold some structure, making the net with their strong adjacent prop roots. In some places, some new repairs are being made using local red laterite stone patches in the repaired area.
I went from the outside of the structure instead of walking through the archway.

This part of the corner looks quite good. (When I was searching for information on one website, this area was showing very bad in shape that means this part was repaired recently.) The teak plantations are arranged on large square platforms. A big stone wall surrounds the structure. That must be a defensive wall.

From the south side, we can see the collapsed and repaired places.

The newly fixed walls and windows make it better. Work is in progress, but slowly.

It is very hard to know what it is, a door or any protective arrangement? Soon it will be repaired i presume but it is interesting to see how nature reclaims what is left unmaintained.

From here, walking towards the wall, getting a view of the rear area, the water supply well was around there.

The view of the back area.

On the other side of the wall crowded bushes and small trees. They are talking about snakes and scorpions, so I didn't dare to cross that part.

From this corner, we imagine the two-story structure and its architectural style. Having seen many churches in the Western world and some churches in Goa, this structure is definitely Western style.

Here we can see the staircase that connects to the upper floor

From the backyard, the back door its look like a tunnel from door to door. Some local people were making a film.

Broken outer walls, growing weeds on the walls, as well as spreading Banyan roots, and a damaged structure. It is an interesting place to take photos, but sad to see the historical site in such decay.

When I enter inside saw the structure had many rooms, mostly in bad shape. One of which was full of plastic bags for carrying cement or sand and plywood looks like work is in progress.

The semicircular arches are falling apart, but they are still easy to see.

Rooms have enough height and good ventilation, and this part also looks much better (work in progress).

I noticed that the factory's all openings/doors are round-shaped arches, some are semi-circular, some are flat, and some are uneven.

The ceiling of the hall is totally broken, so we can see the open sky from here. I just thought about what happened in the monsoon when it was raining heavily.

In this part, the stairs look newly constructed, but I couldn't get in.

The columns supporting the arches are still noticeable.

Broken open ceiling on the upper floor. It looks like a rib vault type of structure. Most of the damaged, and the banyan tree roots growing inside.

To get the upper front part, I came back into the archwalk. To enter upstairs, walk through the newly constructed stairs.

Way to the upstairs, where we can reach the front part of the second story.

Condition of the second floor.

The opening from the second floor is quite dangerous. The time and place weren't to do more adventure, so turn back downstairs

The archway where we turned back to head to the car.
Anyway, it wasn't just a warehouse or storage, but was designed for defense and overall security of their coastal trading occupation.

The brief history of the Dutch Factory
Lithograph of the Dutch Factory and Fort at Vengurla by William Sprear after an original sketch by Robert Pouget,
source https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/places/vengurla-dutch-connection
The arrival of the Portuguese in India marked a significant change in trade dynamics. They came primarily for trade but also established a commercial monopoly and naval dominance over Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala on the southwestern coast, gradually leading to the formation of an empire.

Following the Portuguese, the Dutch arrived with the intention of engaging in trade and making profits, particularly in spices and textiles. However, to break the Portuguese monopoly, they needed a secure location for their operations. They identified Vengurla port as a strategic hub, which was under the control of the Sultan of Bijapur.

To establish a safe site for trading and exporting valuable Indian commodities, Dutch merchants obtained permission from the Sultan to construct a fortified structure in Vengurla. This large storehouse, influenced by Portuguese architecture, featured fort-like walls, bastions, and guards, and was equipped with cannons and guns for protection. The construction took nearly 16 years and was completed in 1655.

After the fall of the Bijapur Sultanate, control of Vengurla shifted to the local ruler, Raje Khem Bhosale of Sawantwadi. Eventually, the British took over and moved all government offices to this location, where they remained until 1960. After that, the Indian government shifted those offices to another place. Due to neglect of the building and careless administration, all wooden furniture, doors, and windows were stolen, and the structure fell apart without any required repairs. Today, the structure stands in ruins. We visited there in December 2025. The condition was like this, according to the photos I took. We hope it will be restored and regain its former glory.
Thank you for stopping by.

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