Adjarhadja, now known as Airhaji, lay on the western coast of Sumatra, close to Indrapura. The VOC's authority over the West Coast of Sumatra extended from the settlement at Adjarhadja through to Baros in the north. Like the majority of the VOC settlements on this coast, Adjarhadja was a small trading and observation post. The West Coast of Sumatra not only produced large amounts of pepper but also gold. The Company managed to establish a foothold through working together with the local rulers and monarchs. They applied to the Company for help in repelling the Sultan of Atjeh, who wished to rule over the entire island. In return for the entire pepper production of the region at fixed prices, the VOC pledged to protect the rulers of these regions.
