Conquest of Ihamahu, 5 September 1652
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Conquest of Ihamahu, 5 September 1652, during the Great Ambon War (1651-1656). Ihamahu, situated on a coral platform on the north side of Saparua, had proven to be an unassailable fortified settlement in earlier conflicts with the Dutch and their local allies. Now, however, it surrendered immediately. Three local leaders, whose extradition De Vlamingh demanded, came down (visible at nr. 6 in the drawing.) Contemporary authors such as Bor and Rumphius suspect that the quick surrender was due to reports of the brutal actions by the VOC at other settlements.
The drawing is most likely not based on a sketch by an eyewitness: the redoubt Velsen in the foreground (nr. 2) would only be built in 1655, several years after the siege. In addition, the coral platform is depicted far too high and narrow.
A poem in the top-right corner praises the victory.
Legend: 1 is de sterke klip Ihamau, 2 is de redoubt Velsen, 3 is ons kleen en inlands vaertuig, 4 sijn onse schepen, 5 is den opklimmenden soldaet, 6 sijn de gevorderde belhamels, so alse den superintendent te voet vallen.
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.
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